January 22, 2025
Protective Deities in Nichiren Shu (1) — Mother-of-Devils or Hariti
By Rev. Sensho Komukai
Mother-of-Devils, also known as Hariti, was a yaksa, a female demon, who had 1,000 children. She often came to the town of Rajagrha in India to take human children away and eat them so that she could obtain enough sustenance to raise her 1,000 children. People in the town were so afraid of Hariti that they asked Shakyamuni Buddha to help with the trouble she caused. Understanding the grief of the parents who lost their children, the Buddha hid the youngest daughter of Hariti. Going half insane, she searched everywhere in the world for her lovely daughter but was not able to find her. She came to the Buddha and asked him where her daughter had gone.
The Buddha replied to Hariti, “You have 1,000 children, but you are quite depressed just because you lost only one child. Can you imagine how sad and painful human parents feel when they are mourning their lost children?” Hariti finally realized her wrongdoings. She reflected on her evil conduct in the past and felt so guilty that she decided to become a disciple of the Buddha, vowing that she would keep the Buddha-Dharma and protect human children. This was the moment that an evil deity became a benevolent one.
As the story shows, Hariti has generally been revered as a protective deity who helps women in pregnancy, to have a smooth delivery, and for the good care of children. Her figure shows a celestial maiden with a child in her arms and an auspicious fruit in her right hand. The fruit represents protection from harm.
Hariti appears in the Lotus Sutra, especially in Chapter 26, “Dharanis.” The chapter says, “Mother-of-Devils, Hariti, and the ten raksasis said simultaneously, ‘We will protect those who read, recite and keep the Lotus Sutra so that they may have no trouble.’The Buddha praised them, saying, ‘Your merits will be immeasurable when you protect those who keep the Lotus Sutra. You should protect the teacher of the Dharma!’” Nichiren Shonin placed high importance on this. He said with conviction, “I realize that Hariti and the ten raksasis are bound to keep guard over those who uphold the sacred title of the Lotus Sutra.” As he faced hardships, he more often tried to defend himself from external enemies by praying for the divine power of Hariti. It is no wonder, therefore, that Hariti appears in the Great Mandala made by Nichiren Shonin.
Because of this important history, Hariti is revered as a protective deity in many Nichiren Shu temples. Special kito blessing rituals are conducted in front of her statue. You find that some Hariti images look black with anger with her palms together rather than as a celestial maiden holding a child.This is because Hariti in the Lotus Sutra chastises enemies who slander the Dharma.
The statue of Hariti in Nakayama Hokekyoji Temple in Chiba is said to have been carved by Nichiren Shonin. At the raid in Komatsubara in 1264, he barely escaped death because Hariti protected him and saved his life. After the Komatsubara Persecution, he stayed in Hokekyoji Temple for a while, where he carved the statue of Hariti as a sign of his gratitude.
Hariti has been revered as a wonderworking deity for pregnancy, easy delivery and child rearing as well as recovery from illness or injuries and preventing disasters. As a Nichiren Shu follower, it is important to remember that Hariti is a protective deity who vows out of her compassion to protect children and practicers of the Lotus Sutra.
