The word "thousand" does not mean a number, but infinity.
It is said that he has one eye on each of his thousand palms, and that he looks at all suffering with his thousand hands and thousand eyes. Because each person's worries and suffering are different, he is said to appear in infinite forms according to the person seeking salvation and save them with infinite mercy.
Merits of healing illness, prolonging life, and reducing crime
Ox/Tiger・・・Kokuzo bosatsu(Akasagarbha Bodhisattva)
Koku means space.
It is said that he can grant all wishes with his great wisdom and good fortune that are as infinite as the universe.
In folk beliefs, he is worshipped as a Buddha of lost wisdom.
Rabbit ・・・Monju Bosatsu(Manjusri kannon bodhisattva)
He is the wisest of all Buddhas , and is the bodhisattva who governs "knowledge," as the saying goes.
He is a bodhisattva who saves people with various wisdoms.
He is also a real person who is said to have compiled and systematized the sutras.
"Manjusri" is also said to mean "wonderful sutras."
Dragon/ Snake・・・Fugen bosatsu(samantabhadra kannon bodhisattva)
Fugen means "every corner of the present, past, and future, as well as the visible and invisible."
He is a bodhisattva who practices, as he is called Fugen of Practice.
He is said to appear at any time and in any place to save people.
This is the bodhisattva who protects the Hokekyo(Lotus Sutra).
Since the Lotus Sutra teaches that women can also attain rebirth in the Pure Land, this sutra has attracted the faith of women since the Heian period.
Horse ・・・Seishi kannon bodhisattva
It is said that he helps people attain enlightenment with the power of wisdom and removes confusion.He is especially good at helping with the worries that come with aging.
The appearance of Seihi Bodhisattva is almost the same as Kannon Bodhisattva.The difference that distinguishes them is the jeweled crown on their head.
Kannon Bodhisattva has a kebutsu (a small Buddha statue) on its crown, while Seishi Bodhisattva has a hobyo (a jeweled jar).This jar has a water bottle attached to it, which is filled with the water of wisdom.
Sheep/Monkey・・・Dainichi Nyorai(Mahavairocana Buddha)
It is said that Dainichi Nyorai represents the entire universe, and that all other Buddhas are transformed versions of Dainichi Nyorai, and therefore he is believed to save everything in the universe.
Bird ・・・Fudo Myoo(Acala,Wisdom King)
Acala is said to speak the truth because he was born from wisdom.
He looks over the entire world with his right eye facing the sky and his left eye facing the earth.
The expression and appearance of the Fudo Myoo express "anger."
It is said that this angry expression and appearance is to destroy the evil (earthly desires and worries) that surrounds people. It is also said that within his anger there is an infinite amount of mercy, and that this overflowing mercy is expressed as a flame burning from his back.
Dog/Boar・・・Amida Buddha
Amida Buddha lives in the Pure Land far to the west.
It is said that if you chant Namu Amida Butsu, even if you did bad things in life, you will be taken to the Pure Land when you die. Those who were devout will be welcomed by Amida Buddha accompanied by Bodhisattvas, but those who were not will be guided by the sound of his voice without being seen. It is said that there are nine stages of welcoming depending on the faith and deeds of the person in life.
Long ago, a certain king in India wanted to save people, so he abandoned his throne, became a monk, and took the name Hozo. After a long period of training, he created a paradise in the far west and became Amida Buddha.
