Hanazawa Local Customs

1 more image

This grouping of 6 jizo are found commonly in Japan, Jizo Bosatsu vowed to protect all beings in the 6 realms ...they are quite common to see sometimes placed at busy intersections or at graveyard..like in this case....these I found were in Hanazawa village ... Jizo often carries a staff with six rings..

Among Buddhists, all living beings are born into one of the 6 states of existence .We are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages -- unless they can break free from desire and attain enlightenment.

After death, all beings are reborn into a lower or a higher realm depending on their actions while still alive.

Within the 6 realms or states, the lowest 3 are called the 3 evil paths. They are the states of
(1) people in hell, the lowest and worst realm, wracked by torture and characterized by aggression.

(2) hungry ghosts, characterized by great craving and eternal starvation...

(3) animals, characterized by stupidity and servitude.

Above these 3 realms are the states of
(4) Asuras,The realm of anger, jealousy, and constant war; the Asura , semi-blessed beings; they are powerful, fierce and quarrelsome; like humans, they are partly good and partly evil.

(5) Humans, beings who are both good and evil; enlightenment is within their grasp, yet most are blinded and consumed by their desires.

(6) Devas,The realm of heavenly beings filled with pleasure; the deva hold godlike powers; most live in delightful happiness and splendor; they live for countless ages, but even the Deva belong to the world of suffering for their powers blind them to the world of suffering and fill them with pride -- and thus even the Deva grow old and die; some say that because their pleasure is greatest, so too is their misery.

Jizo is one who achieves enlightenment but postpones Buddhahood until all can be saved. He promised to remain among us doing good works, to help all those spinning endlessly in the six realms..:)..