A description of Kshitagarbha's realm in the afterlife that is situated by a flowing river, and of his cult and role in the social fabric may be found in Liquid Life: Abortion and Buddhism in Japan by William R. LaFleur, Princeton University Press, ca. 1990.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is often referred to, because of his vow to not achieve Buddhahood until "all the Hells are empty", as the Bodhisattva of the Hell beings. But his vow actually encompasses all sentient beings, being similar to that of Living Buddha Lien-shen, who vows to reveal all the secrets of even the hidden teachings, in order to save sentient beings, even if he has to suffer retribution, even the pulverization of his bones and flesh.

This idea is a popularization of his true role. Here at Hsi Lai, we call Ksitigarbha the "Bodhisattva of Great Vow." This is because, although all Bodhisattvas make Vows, his is one of the most astonishing: He has vowed that he will stay in hell until hell itself is emptied! For this reason his popularity is second only to Avalokitesvara's in countries influenced by the Confucian ideal of filial piety. After all, some of my ancestors may be in hell, and Ksitigarbha will get them out!

In the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Sutra we learn something of his motivations. In several of his previous incarnations, he was deeply concerned about his mother's fate after death.

In one version, Ksitigarbha was a woman named Kuang Mu. An Arhat to whom she made an offering granted her one wish. She asked to know where her mother had gone after death. Entering into meditation, the Arhat learned that Kuang Mu's mother was undergoing punishment in hell. The Arhat asked Kuang Mu why her mother should suffer so much. Kuang Mu said that her mother had often enjoyed eating young tortoises. The Arhat assigned Kuang Mu some practices to alleviate her mother's suffering; after performing them, she had a dream in which the Buddha told her that her mother would soon be born in her home. Subsequently, one of Kuang Mu's maids had a daughter who began talking when only three days old! She told Kuang Mu that she was indeed Kuang Mu's mother, who had been rescued from hell by Kuang Mu's diligence. Sadly, she added that she would die at age thirteen, and fall into hell again. Kuang Mu then resolved to dedicate herself to rescue all beings from hell-a promise carried out when she became Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

A second such legend portrays Ksitigarbha as a Brahmin maiden named "Sacred Girl." Her mother had often spoken ill of the Triple Gem (the Buddha, The Dharma, and the Sangha), so, when her mother died, Sacred Girl was concerned for her fate. Sacred Girl then sold all that she had, and used the money to make offerings to the Buddha on her mother's behalf. One day as she was again requesting the Buddha's help at the temple, she heard the Buddha speaking to her, telling her to go home and meditate. The Buddha would then reveal to her the fate of her mother. She did, and was transported to the hell realm, where she learned that her mother had already ascended to heaven through her efforts. However, the sight of all those remaining in hell led her to vow to save them. And so she later, after many more lives, became the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha.

In yet another tale, the Bodhisattva descended to hell to comfort his own mother, where he learned that she had already been reborn as a dog. He found and adopted this dog, and for that reason Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is often portrayed with a dog as his companion. He is also portrayed-as here-bearing a staff with six rings. These signify the six hell-realms, one for each realm of beings (celestial beings, asuras, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell-beings). Such staffs were often carried by monks as they traveled so that the jangling of the rings could warn small creatures and insects out of their path. For this reason it is sometimes called an "alarm staff."

He is often seen seated on a Lotus throne, wearing a crown. This, as mentioned above, is because of his attribution as Yama, the "King of Hell"-an association that many Buddhists reject. He is not there to judge beings, but to release them! He is also portrayed as a monk, which has caused some to confuse him with the Tang Dynasty Tripitaka master Hsuan Tsang. In Japan statues of Ksitigarbha, there called "Jizo," are often seen standing at a crossroads; many times there are six such statues, again one for each realm.

~ Excerpt from http://mi-le-fo.thetempleguy.com

 

Story of Earth Store Bodhisattva

Earth Store Bodhisattva is known as Ti Tsang (or Di Zang) Bodhisattva in China, Ksitigarbha in Sanskrit, and Jizo Bosatsu in Japan.

The name of this Bodhisattva means "the one who encompasses the earth". Earth means stillness, hardness, stability, vastness and versatility. It represents our mind which creates all dharma and accommodates all matters. It is the foundation on which everything grows, including the Buddhist Way. Store means deepness, profundity and subtleness. It represents the immeasurable treasures.

According to Earth Store Sutra, Earth Store Bodhisattva was appointed by Shakyamuni to be the headmaster of Buddhism on Earth during the period from the Nirvana of Shakyamuni to the advent of Maitreya, the next Buddha born on Earth. He is also said to be an incarnation of Enma (or Yama), the king of the Hell. In broader sense, he is the master of the Six Paths (i.e. Hell, Ghost, Animal, Man, Asura and Deva). Thus, he is described as occupying a position between deva/men and the hell for saving all beings from suffering. Undoubtedly, his status is well-respected by all Buddhas and other beings in the Ten Dharma Realms including human beings.

Earth Store Bodhisattva, one of the Four Great Bodhisattva in Buddhism, is the Bodhisattva with the greatest vow. His vow is:

"If the Hell is not emptyI will not attain Buddhahood"

As the Hell is the lowest in the Ten Dharma Realms, the vow implies that Earth Store Bodhisattva will be the last one to become Buddha amongst all.

Earth Store Bodhisattva is so compassionate that he renounces the states of Buddha, in order to rescue the beings from suffering and help them to attain enlightenment.

Earth Store Sutra describes the past life of Earth Store Bodhisattva. Before being a Bodhisattva, he was a young Indian girl of the Brahmin caste. Because her mother was impious, she was tortured and suffered in hell after she died. The young girl was terrified, thus made a great vow to save all beings from such torments.

As Earth Store Sutra was sermoned by Shakyamuni to his mother in Prayastrimsat, (not on Earth!) this Sutra is also known as the Sutra of filialipiety. If morality is the first step in cultivating Buddhist Way, filialipiety is the first step in morality. That is why this Sutra is so important for all Buddhist beginners.

The Earth Store Sutra also reveals the virtues and merits of Earth Store Bodhisattva and the method to cultivate the Buddhist Way. Therefore, the Sutra is one of the most popular sutras in Buddhism. People read and recite it as their daily practice in the cultivation of the Buddhist Way.

Like other Bodhisattva, Earth Store Bodhisattva is represented by many images and symbols, such as Six Ti-Tsang, Six Messengers, Yen Ming Ti-Tsang, etc. He always holds a piligrim staff and a cintamani (a disc of sun) surrounded by the ten kings of hell. It indicates that "He who delivers from the torments of hell."

Earth Store Bodhisattva is also well known in Japan, Korea and other countries. In Japan, he is the guardian of travellers by land, and he helps the women in labour. He also performs the role of a prolonger of life and guardian of safety of children. In Korea, he is also highly reputable as the object of worship.

~ Excerpt from http://web.singnet.com.sg