Dressed in vermilion robes, the Jizo Bosatsu statues stand as silent guardians. These are the Jizo statues of \u4e00\u672c\u677e\u5730\u8535. They embody a profound story of compassion and salvation. Jizo Bosatsu is revered in East Asian Buddhism. He vowed to liberate all beings trapped in hell. He also vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until everyone is freed.
These statues represent Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. His name means Earth Stone or Earth Treasury. He is the protector of children who have died. He is also the guardian of aborted fetuses and travelers.
The story of Jizo Bosatsu dates back to the 14th-century Japanese folktale. This tale speaks of Sai no Kawara. It is the riverbed of the netherworld. This place resembles purgatory. Souls of unborn children find themselves in limbo there. They must build stone towers to atone for causing heartache. Demons destroy these towers each night. The children must start over again.
Jizo statues symbolize protected children. Grieving parents often give clothing to the statues. Red is the color that repels demons in Japanese mythology. Jizo Bosatsu statues often wear shades of vermilion or ruby.
Jizo is a popular deity within the Pure Land and Shingon schools of Buddhism. According to Buddhist teachings, beings are born into six states of existence. This is the cycle of life and death. Jizo protects all beings in these realms. He is the patron saint of expectant mothers and children.
In modern Japan, Jizo is venerated as the guardian of children. This includes unborn and stillborn babies. Parents make offerings to thank Jizo. They thank him for saving their children from illness. Children who die prematurely cannot build good karma. Jizo smuggles these souls into the Pure Land. You might see toys placed around the statue. These offerings invoke protection for a child.
Red expels demons and illness. Jizo saves people from hell’s torments. He brings fertility and protects children. He grants longevity and is decked in red. Newborn babies are often called “aka chan”. “Aka” means red. “Chan” is a tag of affection.
Many hues adorn the Jizos. Red remains the most common. This color represents both death and life. It is seen in torii gates and the Rising Sun flag.
Jizo also presides over the Mizuko-Kuya. This is a fetus memorial service. It ritualizes the grief of miscarriage or stillbirth. These ceremonies ease parents’ pain.
So, as you stand before the \u4e00\u672c\u677e\u5730\u8535 Jizo statues, remember their profound meaning. They are a symbol of hope. They are a testament to enduring love. They bridge the earthly and spiritual realms.