Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Thangka: The Great Vow Deity · Savior of the Six Realms · Lord of Jiuhua Sacred Realm

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sanskrit: क्षितिगर्भ, Tibetan: ས་ཡི་སྙིང་པོ་), one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas in East Asian Buddhism, is revered in both Han and Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Known for his vow "I will not attain Buddhahood until all hells are emptied," he embodies the ultimate compassion for sentient beings trapped in suffering. His iconography typically depicts a monk wearing a five-leaf crown, holding a staff and a wish-fulfilling jewel, seated atop the mythical creature Diting, symbolizing wisdom and vigilance in guiding souls through samsara. Iconography and Symbolism 1. Monastic Form and Attributes   ◦ Monk’s Appearance: Shaven-headed or crowned with a Pilu crown, draped in orange monastic robes, his yellow body symbolizes the earth’s nurturing stability. The robes’ cloud patterns subtly embed mantras from the Ksitigarbha Sutra.   ◦ Staff and Jewel: The staff in his right hand shakes the six realms to awaken beings, while the jewel in his left illuminates ignorance, merging destruction of obstacles and bestowal of blessings.   ◦ Diting Mount: This lion-like creature with clairvoyant hearing represents discernment, able to distinguish truth from falsehood across past, present, and future. 2. Six Realms and Sacred Geography   ◦ Six Manifestations: Corresponding to the six realms (e.g., Tantra Dizang for hell beings, Sunlight Dizang for celestial beings), each form wields unique implements, reflecting adaptive teachings.   ◦ Jiuhua Mountain: Often depicted in Thangka backgrounds, this sacred site in Anhui is linked to the legend of King Qiaojue, a Silla prince who attained enlightenment there. Religious Significance and Merits 1. The Great Vow   ◦ Rooted in his past-life vows to save his mother and all beings, Ksitigarbha’s resolve is extolled in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra as a universal refuge. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is pivotal for purifying heavy karmas (e.g., patricide, slandering the Dharma) and guiding souls through the bardo (intermediate state). 2. Cultivation Benefits   ◦ 28 Merits: Reciting his name or sutra is believed to grant worldly blessings (protection, prosperity) and ultimate liberation. Chanting his name 1,000 times daily for three years invokes lifelong guardian spirits.   ◦ Atonement Rituals: Offerings on his lunar birthday (7/30) aid in liberating deceased souls, particularly addressing tragedies like untimely deaths or abortions.