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:
- Generosity
- Ethical conduct
- Patience
- Vigor/diligence
- Meditation
- Wisdom
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.
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(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 大乘大集地藏十輪経
"Most scholars generally consider texts about Jizo, or Ksitigarbha, to be products of China rather than India, followed centuries later by Japanese renditions and additions. The Jizō cult in China and later in Japan developed in phases, during which Jizō became associated with different functions and iconography. Once in Japan, the Jizō cult developed along distinctly Japanese lines, although it retained many of its earlier Chinese characteristics. The various Jizō texts, along with Jizō’s changing roles, are presented below in chronological order."
(further/complete information:http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo1.shtml)
SOURCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ksitigarbha
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo-texts.html
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/tstang-txt.htm
Gayley, Holly. "Intro to the Mahayana." RLST 3300. Boulder, CO. Spring 2010. Lecture.
Shantideva. The Way of the Bodhisattva. Boston, MA: Shambala Publications, Inc., 2006. Print
http://www.artsmia.org/viewer/detail.php?v=2&id=3524
http://buddhistsutras.org/gallery/ksitigarbha.htm
http://www.khandro.net/deities_bodhisattvas.htm