Kokuzo Bosatsu (Skt. = Akasagarbha)
Name literally means "Vast & Boundless Vessel"

Last Update July 7, 2006
Added Text & Corrected Errors

Origin India
Deity of Wisdom and Memory
Protector of Craftspeople and Artisans
One of the first Buddhist deities to arrive in Japan

Guardian of People Born in the
Zodiac Year of the Ox and Tiger
Who is Your Buddhist/Zodiac Patron Deity?

Kokuzo Bosatsu, Nara Era, Treasure of Gakuon-ji
 Photo courtesy of the Handbook on Viewing Buddhist Statues

Kokuzo (also written Kokuuzou, Kokuuzoo) symbolizes the "vast and boundless" Buddha wisdom that permeates the universe. Believers pray to Kokuzo to grant them wisdom on their quest toward enlightenment. People also pray to Kokuzo to improve their memory, technical skills, and artistic talents, for Kokuzo is revered not only as the deity of wisdom, but as a protector of craftspeople and artisans.

Kokuzo was introduced to Japan in the late Nara period (645-794 AD) as part of a special rite to improve one's memory -- hence, Kokuzo's reputation even today is that of a deity who bestows intelligence on devotees. In Japan today, sculptures of Kokuzo are generally found only among Shingon temples and some Tendai temples, where special esoteric rites are still performed (mostly in secret) to ensure good memory, the granting of wishes, and the bestowal of Kokuzo's "vast and boundless" blessings.

Sanskrit, Chinese, and Japanese Spellings


English Translations for Kokuzo Bodhisattva

• Space/Sky Repository (also Space/Sky Treasury)
• All-Encompassing Wisdom
• Vast and Boundless Vessel
• Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Memory
• Protector of Craftspeople and Artisans
• Guardian of the Treasury of All Wisdom & Achievement

Kokuzo can appear in many different forms. In sculpture, Kokuzo's role as bestower of wishes means that Kokuzo is shown frequently holding the wish-granting jewel. In another variant, Kokuzo holds a lotus stem surmounted with the sacred wish-giving gem. In another popular representation, Kokuzo holds a sword to symbolize wisdom cutting through ignorance. Kokuzo is sometimes portrayed with the "Fear Not" Mudra, a gesture that symbolizes the granting of protection to Buddhist followers. NOTE: Photo at right shows Kokuzo forming the Fear Not Mudra while holding a lotus spear surmounted by the wish-granting jewel. At other times, Kokuzo is depicted with a hand gesture known as the Wish-Granting Mudra (aka the Charity, Welcome, or Blessing mudra). This latter mudra is associated closely with the Historical Buddha, and represents the granting of wishes to those who welcome the teachings of Buddhism. For a detailed review of hand gestures, please see the Mudra page.

Kokuzo is no longer venerated widely in Asia or Japan, with the exception of Japan's Shingon Sect of Esoteric Buddhism, where Kokuzo serves as the last of the Thirteen Deities of the Shingon School (consisting of Five Buddha, Seven Bodhisattva, and Fudo Myoo). As a group, these 13 represent the chief deities of the Womb World and Diamond World mandalas. As one of the thirteen, Kokuzo presides over the memorial service held on the 32nd anniversary after one's death. On the Japanese island of Honshu, children who are 13 years of age still follow the custom of paying homage to Kokuzo in the hopes of becoming more intelligent. In Japan's esoteric traditions, Kokuzo is also counted among the 16 Deities of the Auspicious Aeon, and as one of the 16 Great Bodhisattva.

Kokuzo Bodhisattva (lit. Space Repository) was originally paired with Jizo Bodhisattva (lit. Earth Repository), with the two representing the blessings of space and earth respectively. This pairing is now almost completely forgotten. Today Jizo is one of Japan's most popular deities among the common folk, and is worshipped both independently and as an important member of Amida Buddha's retinue. In contrast, Kokuzo is a relatively neglected deity whose devotees come largely from the Shingon tradition.

Kokuzo's central role in the esoteric rite to improve one's memory is described in the Gumonjihou (Jp.). Kokuzo is described in the Kokuzo Sutra (Jp. = Kokuzo Bosatsu Kyo) as one who removes obstacles, one who helps people recognize and overcome their errors, and one who encourages the practice of the Six Perfections (Sanskrit = Paramita). In addition to the central virtue of compassion, there are Six Perfections that a Bodhisattva must cultivate in order to attain Buddhahood.

1. charity
2. morality
3. forbearance
4. effort
5. meditation
6. wisdom

The Six Perfections can also be written as shown below, to which four more perfections were added in later times:

1. Generosity (Skt. Dana-paramita); selfless and impartial generosity
2. Discipline (Skt. Shila-paramita); observance of the ethical regimen
3. Patience (Skt. Kshanti-paramita); patient endurance of difficulties
4. Energy (Skt. Virya-paramita); zealous energy in perseverance
5. Meditation (Skt. Dhyana-paramita); mindful absorption in meditation
6. Wisdom (Skt. Prajna-paramita); wisdom of transcendent insight
   
   Four more perfections were added in later times:
    
7. Right method (or means)
8. Vows
9. Manifestation of 10 powers
10. True understanding of all dharmas (laws) The Six Perfections are:

Tarakku (Japanese pronunciation)
Kokuzo's Sanskrit Seed Syllable



Japanese Mantra for Kokuzo Bodhisattva
Kobo Daishi, the founder of Japan's Shingon sect,
said people who chant this mantra one million times
will gain a full understanding of all Buddhist teachings

Kokuzo Bosatsu, 7th Century
Height = 175.4 cm
Hōrin-ji Temple 法輪寺, 法琳寺 in Nara.
Also spelled Hourinjin, Horinji.


Restored Painting - Unknown Artist and Date
 Found on web at http://www.koku-j.com/english.html

Godai Kokuzo Bodhisattva, Jingo-ji, Kyoto
Early Heian Period, 794-969 CE
Photo courtesy of:
 http://art.sdsu.edu/courses/artstudy/565_1/1.4.html


Kokuzo Bosatsu - 9th Century, Jingo-ji Temple
 Two of the Five Kokuzo (Godai Kokuzo)

ABOVE TWO PHOTOS:
The Toji Temple in Kyoto houses a wonderful hard-dark-wood-half-life-size set of five Kokuzo statues sitting on peacock, horse, and other animals. The statues were originally dated from around 580 to 640 AD, but subsequent research yielded a later date, sometime in the early 9th century AD. These rare wood sculptues were brought to Japan from China. Two of the five are shown above. The five statues are each seated on pedestals in the form of a lion, elephant, horse, peacock, and Karura (bird man).

ABOVE TWO PHOTOS

• Courtesy Nat'l Research Institute for Cultural Properties
  (see link below)
   
• (L) Kongo-Kokuzo Bosatsu, one of the Five Great Akasagarbha, wood, Chinese Tang Dynasty, 9th century, To-ji Temple, Kyoto
  Others, like Ernest F. Fenollosa, date them from around 580 to 640 AD
   
• (R) Hokkai-Kokuzo Bosatsu, one of the Five Great Akasagarbha, wood, Chinese Tang Dynasty, 9th century, To-ji Temple, Kyoto

Hanka: Japanese name for the half lotus position of meditation. In this position (see above & below photos), one of the two feet is brought up and the back of the foot is pressed against the opposite inner thigh. 

Kokuzo Bosatsu - Treasure of Chusonji
Late Heian Period; photo courtesy of magazine Meguru #35

Top - Closeup of wish-fulfilling jewel in below photo
Below - Painting in collection of Tokyo National Museum
Formerly owned by Mitsui Gomei Co.
132.0 x 84.4, Heian Period, 12th century, National Treasure.
 www.tnm.go.jp/scripts/col/MOL1.en.idc?X=A10498

LEARN MORE

• Buddhist-Artwork.com
  Kokuzo statues are available for online purchase at our sister site.
  
  
  
  
• National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo
  Images of early Kokuzo sculptures imported into Japan from China
  Statues of Two of the Five Great Akasagarbha
  Belonging to Kanchi-in, To-ji Temple, in Kyoto
   
• JAANUS Dictionary of Art & Architecture
  www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/kokuuzou.htm (Kokuzo page)
  www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/ (Homepage)
   
• Tokyo National Museum - Wonderful Photo Library
  http://www.tnm.go.jp/scripts/col/MOL1.en.idc?X=A10498
  http://www.tnm.go.jp/scripts/col/MON1.en.idc?Q=11______4121_
   
• Taizokai Mandala - Excellent
  www.bremen.de/info/nepal/Gallery-3/Cosmos/9-6/garbhadatu-1.htm
   
• Shingon Web Site
  http://www.shingon.org/deities/jusanbutsu/jusanbutsu.html
   
• San Diego State University
  Excellent Photo Tour of Ancient Japanese Buddhism
  http://art.sdsu.edu/courses/artstudy/565_1/1.4.html
   

Copyright 1995-2008. Mark Schumacher. Email Mark.
All stories and photos, unless specified otherwise, by Schumacher.
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