A pair of stone lions are placed at the entrance of a Buddhist temple to guard the entrance. After Buddhism was introduced to China, the lions were placed as the sacred beasts of Buddhism.
It is because of the founder of Buddhism Sakyamuni . When he was born, his speech had great intimidation, just like a lion roaring, which is called a lion's roar. Sakyamuni was also called the lion among men. Sitting there is called the Vajra Lion Sit, so the lion has become an auspicious animal at the entrance of the temple.
Stone lions are placed at the entrance of the temple, with a "ball" in their mouths, which means that people who come to the temple can respond to requests. The stone lions placed at the entrance of the temple are male lions on the left and female lions on the right, because the left side points to the east. China pays attention to the balance of yin and yang. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so the left is yang and the right is yin. The male lion will step on an embroidered ball, which is called the Qiankun ball, which means the universe is in the palm of his hand, and is a symbol of power. The female lion will usually step on the cub, which means that the mother will honor the world and her descendants will continue.
Buddhist believers regard lions as guardians and build a pair of stone lions at the entrance of the temple to warn people with malicious intentions not to blaspheme or violate the temple and the gods.
