Can legends, allusions and screen stories about deities and Buddhas be treated literally as history?

Legends, folk stories and screen portrayals can help explain virtue, vows and reminders for life, but cannot all be treated as verified history. I have introduced different origins of the Seventh and Eighth Lords, some details perhaps added later. Retain different versions without selecting one as the only truth.

Fictional figures becoming part of folk faith can be understood through collective intention in religion. It does not establish that every fictional episode happened. Discussing Zhong Kui, I have said his origin story cannot be confirmed and approached him through expressed energy qualities. Films and series also need storytelling and may not show actual service procedures, risks or responsibilities. Watching does not qualify imitation.

Ask what a story reminds us: integrity, compassion, karma or human attachment? Bring what can be practiced into life and honestly leave unknowns open. Uncertain people, dates and events should be described as legend, without embellishing unknown details as though personally witnessed.