The god figure pictured below is the god of exams. Note the large pencil in his upraised arm! Students would come to the room where he is housed and tell the monk of their need concerning an upcoming exam. The monk would then tell them what offering they needed to make and how many times to kowtow. (I hope he also told them to study)!
I am struck over and over by how angry and frightening most of the gods look, as well as the notion that their actions are determined by whether the supplicants do the right thing. It is so different from my experience with the God of the Bible. He holds all the power - which can, indeed, be a frightening thought - but it is undergirded with love for his people. There is no need for cowering fear in the face of compassion.
