Hi HZ,
Just to share my opinions.
In the Teochew Shan Tang (very localised Buddhism), where they
honour Song Da Feng Zu Shi in the middle of the main shrine, it has
Di Zang Wang on His right and Tian Zang Wang on
His left.
I asked the temple attendant there and he gave a very chinese reply...
"xiao di (small boy, refering to me), wo men hua ren, you di jiu
you tian"
Literally meaning if there is earth, there must be heaven (or sky
as in Tian).
Hmm...I have no idea how this Tian Zang Wang originates.
However HZ,
In more doctrinal supported context, you can contrast between Di
Zang Wang and Xu Kong Zang. The idea is similar, where the name of
DZW itself suggesting the tolerance and fairness to everyone like
mother earth, XKZ's idea is that you able to tolerate entire
existence. However XKZ has little affinity with the Chinese and
Tibetan Buddhism as XKZ is not that well known and popular.
Apparently XKZ is more popular and known in Japanese Buddhism. In
Chinese Buddhism where Manjusri represents Wisdom, it is so in
Japanese Buddhism that XKZ stands for Wisdom.
