Hariti

Hārītī (Sanskrit), also known as Chinese: 鬼子母(神), Pinyin: Guǐzǐmǔ(shén), Japanese Kishimojin (鬼子母神), is both a revered goddess and demon, depending on the Buddhist tradition. In her positive aspects, she is regarded for the protection of children, easy delivery and happy child rearing, while her negative aspects include the belief of her terror towards irresponsible parents and unruly children.

Kishimojin as a demon mistress with infant. 12th-13th century, Kamakura period. Daigo-ji, Kyoto, Japan.
Translations of
Hārītī
SanskritHārītī
Chinese鬼子母
(Pinyin: Guǐzǐmǔ)
Japanese鬼子母神
(rōmaji: Kishimojin)
Korean귀자모신
(RR: Gwijamoshin)
Glossary of Buddhism

In Japanese Buddhism, the variant Kishimojin is venerated both as a protector deity, but in many folk traditions is often recognized as a female demon of misery and unhappiness towards children and parents. Both popular traditions persevere in current Japanese Buddhist practices and belief.

Iconography

The iconography of Hārītī shows similarities to the Greek goddess Tyche and may have been transmitted to east Asia through the influence of Greco-Buddhism. In Greek art, Tyche was depicted in the presence of children, carrying a cornucopia (horn of plenty), an emblematic gubernaculum (ship's rudder), and the wheel of fortune; she may stand on the wheel, presiding over the entire circle of fate.[1]

Hārītī is a figure of the 26th chapter of the Lotus Sutra, and is especially important to Nichiren Buddhism. In Shingon Buddhism, she is named Karitei (訶利帝) or Karitei-mo (訶梨帝母). Her iconography is based mostly on the Dai Yakusha Nyo Kangimo Narahini Aishi Jōjuhō (大薬叉女歓喜母并愛子成就法).[2]

In Japanese tradition, Kishimojin is an aspect of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, and she bears the epithets "Bringer of Happiness" (歓喜母) and "Giver of Children and Easy Delivery" (子安鬼子母神).

In the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, she is known as Hārītī Mā "Mother Hārītī", and her main temple is part of Kathmandu's Swayambhunath stupa complex. She is perceived as the consort of Pañcika and as protector of children, and is a patron of the Newar people of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur District. The Newars call her Ajima, meaning "grandmother" in the Newar language.

Narrative
The bas-relief of Hariti with her children on inner northern wall of Mendut, 9th century.

According to myth, Hārītī was originally a rākṣasī of Rajgir at the same time that Gautama Buddha also lived there. She had hundreds of children of her own, whom she loved and doted upon, but to feed them, she abducted and killed the children of others. The bereaved mothers of her victims pleaded to the Buddha to save them. So, the Buddha stole the youngest of her sons (in a variant version, the youngest daughter), and hid him under his rice bowl. After having desperately searched for her missing son throughout the universe, Hārītī finally appealed to the Buddha for help.

Azes coin in India, with Demeter/ Hariti with children and holding a cornucopia (Obv.)and Hermes (Rev.), 1st century BCE.

The Buddha pointed out that she was suffering because she lost one of hundreds of children, and asked if she could imagine the suffering of parents whose only child had been devoured. She replied contritely that their suffering must be many times greater than hers. She then vowed to protect all children, and in lieu of children's flesh, she would henceforth only eat pomegranates. Henceforth Hārītī became the protector of children and women in childbirth. In exchange, the Buddha gave her bodhi, which enabled her to withstand black magic and evil powers, and gave her the facility to cure the sick.[3][2]

In the Japanese version of the tale, Kishimojin enlists the aid of the Ten Rākṣasī Women (十羅刹女, jūrasetsunyo) to abduct and murder the children of other families. In some variants of the myth, the Ten Rākṣasī Women are themselves daughters (or daughters' daughters) of Kishimojin.[4] When Kishimojin accepts the Buddha's teachings, the Ten Demon Daughters do likewise.[2]

Hariti statues from Gandhara
  • Hariti with children (front). 1st BCE, Gandhara.
  • Hariti with children (back). 1st BCE, Gandhara.
  • Rondel with the Goddess Hariti, 1st century CE.
  • Hariti and Panchika, c. 2nd Century CE - Gandhara
  • Goddess Hariti with baby.
  • Pharo and Ardoxsho, Gandhara.
  • Hariti (Gandhara).
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References
  1. Katsumi Tanabe, Alexander the Great: East-West Cultural Contact from Greece to Japan (Tokyo: NHK Puromōshon and Tokyo National Museum, 2003).
  2. Schumacher, Mark (1995), "Kariteimo", A-Z Photo Dictionary of Japanese Buddhist Statuary, onmarkproductions.com.
  3. Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (2000), "Kishimojin", Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities, Jefferson: McFarland, p. 272, ISBN 0-7864-0317-9.
  4. Chitkara, M. G., ed. (2005), "Jurasetsu", Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, Glossary of Buddhism Terms, vol. XXI, New Delhi: APH Publishing, p. 218, ISBN 81-7648-184-X.

Bibliography
  • Media related to Hariti at Wikimedia Commons
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