Kokuzo
Kokuzo
The Boundless Vessel
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Akasagarbha (Sanskrit); Kokuyo
CLASSIFICATION:
Bodhisattva; Bosatsu
Kokuzo is among the great Bodhisattvas, venerated for his endless store of knowledge. He was among the first of the Bodhisattvas to reach Japan. Technically speaking, Kokuzo Bosatsu is invoked for wisdom leading to enlightenment. However, in Japanese folk religion, Kokuzo is beloved and renowned for granting wishes.
Kokuzo grants wishes and bestows intelligence. He is invoked to improve artisanal and technical skills. Meditating on his image is believed to improve the memory. (He may also be directly petitioned for improved memory.) Kokuzo is a road-opener, removing obstacles from one’s path. He helps people recognize their own faults and self-generated obstacles and also helps to correct and remove these. Kokuzo is not widely venerated except in folk religion and in Shingon Buddhism where he is a highly significant spirit. Children aged thirteen traditionally honor Kokuzo in hopes of enhancing intelligence and academic success.
FAVOURED PEOPLE:
Artisans; Kokuzo is patron of those born in the years of the ox and tiger
ATTRIBUTES:
Wish-granting jewel; sword with which to slice through ignorance
Direction:
Direction:
Northeast
SEE ALSO:
BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ IN OUR LIBRARY:
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
