Hall of Kshitigarbha
| Hall of Kshitigarbha | ||
|---|---|---|
Hanyu Pinyin | Dìzàngdiàn | |
The Hall of Kṣitigarbha or Kṣitigarbha Hall (Chinese: 地藏殿; pinyin: Dìzàngdiàn) is one of the most important annexed halls in Chinese Buddhist temples. It is named after its primary function of enshrining the bodhisattva Kṣitigarbha and sometimes doubles as the temple mausoleum.[1]
Origin
As his name occurs in Chinese texts such as the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra (《地藏菩薩本願經》), the Chinese name of Kṣitigarbha is "Dìzàng" (地藏; lit. 'earth storehouse').[1]
The Daśacakra Kṣitigarbha Sūtra (《地藏十輪經》) elaborates:
- "Kṣitigarbha is patient and immovable like the great earth; his meditation is deep and profound like a secret storehouse."
- (「安忍不動如大地，靜慮深密如秘藏。」)
Due to
- "Until the hells are empty (of suffering beings), I will not become a Buddha."
- (「地獄不空，誓不成佛。」)
- "Once all sentient beings are saved, I will attain Buddhahood."
- (「眾生度盡，方證菩提。」)
- "If I do not descend into hell, who will?"
- (「我不入地獄，誰入地獄?」)
It is through this gesture of selflessness that he became recognized as "foremost in compassion and vows" and has been worshiped by people since ancient times.[2][3]
Enshrined image
In Chinese Buddhism, Kṣitigarbha's image is usually in the form of a Buddhist monk; complete with a robe, shaved head or in a vishnu lou cap.[1] He sits in the lotus posture and wields a khakkhara in his left hand, symbolizing the unification of compassion for all living creations whilst holding strictly to the moral precepts.[1] In his right hand is a ruyi, signifying the fulfillment of the wishes of all living creatures.[1]
Some images depict him standing in a triad that includes a father-son duo:
In some larger Buddhist temples, statues of the ten King Yamas flank images of Kṣitigarbha.[1]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
- ISBN 9787112142880.
- ISBN 7506024772.
Further reading
- Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 9787302427056.
- Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 9787515401188.
External links
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