Statue of Jizo nestled in a hill located in Yurihonjo, Akita, Japan

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Ksitigarbha is one of the four principal bodhisattvas in East Asian Mahayana Buddhism. In Japan, Ksitigarbha, known as Jizō, or Ojizō-sama as he is respectfully known, is one of the most loved of all Japanese divinities. His statues are a common sight, especially by roadsides and in graveyards. Traditionally, he is seen as the guardian of children, and in particular, children who died before their parents. He has been worshipped as the guardian of the souls of mizuko, the souls of stillborn, miscarried or aborted foetuses, in the ritual of mizuko kuyō (水子供養, lit. offering to water children).

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Size: 4752px × 3168px
Location: Yurihonjo-shi, Akita Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan
Photo credit: © Moonie's World / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bodhisattva, buddhism, buddhist, faith, guardian, japan, japanese, jizo, ksitigarbha, monk, ojizō-sama, religion, sculpture, shinbutsu-shū, spiritual, statue, worship