Kṣitigarbha
Kṣitigarbha is The Compassionate Bodhisattva of the Underworld. Kshitigarbha, also known as Dicang in China and Jizō in Japan, is a revered bodhisattva associated with salvation and compassion.
Kṣitigarbha, meaning "Womb of the Earth," is a bodhisattva recognized in India from the 4th century CE. However, he gained immense popularity in China as Dicang and in Japan as Jizō. Regarded as the savior of the oppressed and dying, Kṣitigarbha has made a vow to rescue all souls condemned to hell, including those experiencing wicked dreams.
According to Buddhist scriptures, he is a Bodhisattva who embodies in the Six Paths (six paths including: Hell, Pretas, Animal, Asura, Human World, Heavenly, which are the six paths of reincarnation of sentient beings) to save sentient beings from heaven to hell. Countless kalpas ago, Kṣitigarbha was a Brahmin and made a vow before a Buddha at that time to be determined to cultivate and attain Buddhahood, but will refuse this Buddhahood if it has not saved all sentient beings from Samsara.
In China, Kṣitigarbha is considered the overlord of hell and invoked when someone is near death. In Japan, as Jizō, he is revered for his merciful assistance to the departed, particularly comforting deceased infants and aborted fetuses. The widespread popularity of Kṣitigarbha is evident in the presence of his imagery on temple banners in regions like Chinese Turkistan.
Kṣitigarbha is often portrayed as a shaven-headed monk with a nimbus and an urna (tuft of hair) between his brows. He is depicted holding a clerical staff (khakkara) to open the gates of hell and a fiery pearl (chintamani) to illuminate the darkness. Notably, Kṣitigarbhahas the ability to manifest himself in various forms, aligning with the needs of those who are suffering. In Japan, he is depicted in six forms, corresponding to the six realms of desire.
Kṣitigarbha, the Compassionate Bodhisattva of the Underworld, holds a significant place in various Buddhist traditions. Revered for his role in salvaging souls and providing mercy, Kṣitigarbha is widely venerated in China as Dicang and in Japan as Jizō.
