JIZO - The Protector of Children
BACKGROUND
Boddhisattvas are enlightened beings that are purposefully just shy
of attaining nirvana. Bodhisattvas purpose in life is to help all
sentient beings, or those in the human realm of existence, to reach
nirvana. According to lecture* and to Shantideva’s*
book, The
Way of the Bodhisattva, Bodhisattvas must have the
following: first they must claim their bodhisattva vow, pay homage
and intent, believe in excellence of the bodhichitta (literally the
“awakened mind/heart”), give offering and confession, and follow
the six paramitas or perfections which
include:
WHO IS JIZO?
The particular Bodhisattva that will be discussed on this webpage
is the Protector of Children and other
times known as the Bodhisattva of Hell. In
different Asian cultures he has evolved to be venerated for
different reasons. Like all other depictions of Bodhisattvas, Jizo
is always shown in the human form although he has certain
distinguishing characteristics depending on the culture, which will
be discussed more in depth in the iconography section. Since
Bodhisattvas aren’t fully enlightened beings, they are always
depicted in the human form to reiterate the fact that they have
chosen to remain in the human realm to help sentient beings out of
the cycle of samsara and attain nirvana.
Buddhas, however, are fully enlightened beings who have reached
nirvana and because of this can sometimes be depicted as a
footprint or the wheel of dharma. In Jizo’s human form, he is
sometimes depicted as a monk – the only bodhisattva to be portrayed
as such. Unlike other Bodhisattva’s he is not found with any
adornments or royal attire. Instead he is usually found with a
shaved head and the robe of a monk.
However, Jizo has also been depicted as a woman based on the myth
of the “Sacred Girl” – you can find more information under the
Myths section.
In Japanese culture Jizo has come to be venerated as the Protector
of Children, particularly those children that have died early in
life, during childbirth, or because of a miscarriage, abortion,
etc. More recently though, Jizo’s protective nature has extended to
a multitude of other beings and has not only been reserved as the
protector of children. In Japan he is also known for protecting
expectant mothers, firemen, pilgrims, travelers, and all other
beings caught in the six realms of existence. This is just a small
list of the types of beings that he protects. For a longer list of
the many variations that the modern bodhisattva has come to be
venerated for please visit this website: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo1.shtml
In Sanskrit his name is Ksitigarbha, and is known as the
Bodhisattva of hell. His vow, which is needed for any Bodhisattva
to, states that he will not become fully enlightened until all
hells are emptied. In Japanese culture, not only does he guide
those in the various realms of hell to escape from cyclic
existence, but he also helps guide those children that died before
their parents to stay away from hell. For those children that die
early in life, the belief is that they remain in a purgatory state
because they have not lived long enough to accumulate enough merit.
Jizo is venerated to help protect those children from entering hell
and to protect their parents from suffering.
.
(Statue
representing Jizo as Protector of
Children)
(Jizo in hell as Bodhisattva of Hell)
MYTHS OF JIZO
The story of Jizo, or Ksitigarbha, can be found in one the most
well known Chinese Mahayana sutras called the sutra of The Great
Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. As legend is told, the sutra
was spoken by the Buddha towards the end of his life before his
departure from this earth. Before his death the Buddha spoke
the Dharma “within” the Trayastrisma Heaven in remembrance and
dedication to his mother, Mayadevi. Most say that this was
the Buddha’s last attempt to “repay” his mother for the kindness
she had bestowed upon him during his lifetime. This contextual
expression of gratitude is where the common depiction of Jizo in
feminine form is derived. Some say this depiction is also due
to the Chinese praise given to Filial piety – or a respect for
one’s parents and ancestors.
The sutra was first translated from the Sanskrit to Chinese in
7th century A.D. After the death of Sakyamuni
Buddha there would be no Buddha on earth until the Bodhisattva
Maitreya who is to become the next Buddha. As legend
has it, the Buddha assigned or delegated Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha to
act on his behalf – to work in hopes of saving all sentient beings.
His vow: "Not until the hells are emptied will I become a Buddha;
not until all beings are saved will I certify to Bodhi."
Statues
of Jizo, Ganman-ga-fuchi,
Nikko. Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
“As A Sacred Girl” - In the Ksitigarbha Sutra the Buddha tells of
Ksitigarbha as a Brahmin maiden, named Sacred Girl, who was
deeply troubled when her mother died because of her slanderous
conduct during her life. To try and save her from a bad
rebirth or the “tortures of hell,” Ksitigarbha used whatever money
she could to buy offerings to give to the Buddha and prayed to him
to spare her mother’s soul. The Buddha told her to go home,
sit and meditate if she truly wished to know where her mother
was. Upon which, Sacred Girl was transported to hell only to
find that her many efforts to save her mother gave her mother
enough merit to be transported to heaven. Although relieved,
Sacred Girl was deeply troubled and empathetic for those who were
in hell. There, she vowed to dedicate the rest of her life to
relieve beings of their suffering in their future lives.
IMAGES & ICONOGRAPHY
Jizo is depicted in many different ways and forms across the
regions in which he/she is praised, although the alleviation of
suffering for the living and the dead is maintained through every
different depiction.
Japan
In
Japan, Ksitigarbha, or Jizo Bodhisattva is iconically depicted as a
young monk. As a monk, the Jizo statue is depicted bald and in a
simple monk robe with no adornments of any kind. According
to http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo1.shtml the
Jizo Bodhisattva statue is the only Bodhisattva depicted as a monk.
Statues of the Jizo Bodhisattva in Japan have four distinguishing
features.
The
first of these features is a staff that the Jizo Bodhisattva is
holding in one of his hands.
The second feature is the small object he is holding in his
other hand. This small round object is actually a wish-granting
stone. According to http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=2&id=3524,
this wish-granting stone represents the Jizo Bodhisattva’s “power
to answer the prayers of languishing souls” while also representing
spiritual wealth.
The third feature of Jizo Bodhisattva statue is the clouds he
is standing upon. According to http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=2&id=3524,
the clouds that the Jizo Bodhisattva is standing upon
symbolizes “Jizo descending from the heavens—actually floating down
on the clouds—on his way to the Netherworld to help
languishing souls.” (4) The fourth distinguishing feature to the
Jizo Bodhisattva statue is the lotus blossom-that is facing up
towards the Jizo- as it emerges from the metaphorical clouds. The
lotus flower is a symbol of purity that is representative of
compassionate beings.
(all
information and images found: http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=2&id=3524)
China
In China, Ksitigarbha is known as the Dizang Bodhisattva. Here, the
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is still distinguished from other
Bodhisattva statues because of his staff and the wish-granting
jewel in his hands. Although, the Bodhisattva’s most distinguishing
features are still present, his pose is noticeably different. In
China, the Dizang Bodhisattva is sitting down on a lotus throne,
compared to the Japanese version of Jizo in which he is standing
upon a lotus blossom. Also, noticeably different from Jizo, the
Dizang Bodhisattva is not a monk. The statue of the Dizang is
adorned with colorful robes, he is sitting on a throne, and he is
wearing an adorned crown on his head. These are features not
associated with simplicity or monkhood, but of luxury and
veneration.
VENERATIONS
There are many popular sites of veneration for the guardian Jizo
that are found within a variety of different countries.
Commonly, statues of the guardian are found by the roadside or in
graveyards; these are often found in groupings of six, depicting
each of the Six Realms. His statues often suggest the same
religious significance associated with stupas. Tradition remains
that parents pray to Mizuko Jizo and in return this will shorten
the duration of time that their prematurely deceased child will
have to suffer in the underworld. Little piles of stones and
pebbles are placed among these locations of worship, in faith that
their acts of merit will assist their child’s penance while in the
underworld. It is believed that dying before your parents
afflicts a great deal sorrow upon them as well as others, thus, the
stillborn, miscarried or aborted children are sent to hell.
It is important to remember there are a variety of ways to venerate
these bodhisattva’s. Some of the more popular methods of
venerations include putting children’s outfits, particularly a red
bib or a red hat; Japanese tradition connects the color red with
the expelling of demons and illnesses. Gifts and children’s toys
are also commonly seen around Jizo statues also symbolizing acts of
merit as well as the parents who are rejoicing because his or her
child has been relieved of their illness or disease.
Derived within East Asian Buddhism, this bodhisattva’s
presence is continually expanding into different regions. In China,
a popular pilgrimage is to Jiuhua Mountain; located in Anhui and
often referred to as Ksitigarbha’s seat. The peak provides a
generous thrown for the bodhisattva, seeing that it covers
one-hundred and twenty square kilometers. Jiuhua’s large area
allows for around one hundred and fifty temples to reside within
its many peaks. From the high mountain skies to the blue oceans
abyss, people venture to this bodhisattva in hope that their
prayers will be answered. In Hawaii, Jizo is commonly referred to
as the guardian of the sea. His statues can be found around coastal
and cliff areas, where there have been previous encounters of
children being swept away by fierce ocean currents and
drowning.
Finally, countries practice different spiritual movements or
transformations when venerating Jizo. These are a few of the
different mantras that are found amongst Tibetan, Chinese and
Japanese Buddhism.
The mantra of Ksitigarbha is as follows,
“namaḥ samantabuddhānāṃ,
ha ha ha, sutanu svāhā”
In Chinese Buddhism, the following mantra is recited to ask
Ksitigarbha for protecti
“ámó dìzàng wáng púsà (南無地藏王菩萨)”
In Tibet, the following mantra is associated with Ksitigarbha:
“ oṃ kṣitigarbha
bodhisattva yaḥ ”
In Shingon, or Japanese, a mantra used in public religious services
is:
“ on kaka kabi sanmaei sowaka "
MAHAYANA GREAT COLLECTION SUTRAS
Ten
Cakras of Ksitigarbha Sutra
地藏菩薩本願経 or 地藏本願経
敦煌本仏説地蔵菩薩経
