Inside the main entry chamber of the monastery were four corner guards, which are traditionally found in many Chinese temples. Each guardian holds a different item with symbolic meaning-- one holds a sword, one a pagoda and a dragon (the pagoda is a house where evil spirits are contained and the dragon is a guardian to fight evil spirits as well), one holds a musical instrument and the last one holds a device not entirely unlike a closed umbrella. If anyone knows the significance of these four items, please post on my website.
