Shakujo

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A shakujō (English: monk staff, Japanese: 錫杖, Sanskrit: khakkhara, Mandarin xīzhàng, literally "tin stick") is a Buddhist ringed staff used primarily in prayer^[1]^[2] or as a weapon^[3]. The jingling of the staff's rings is used to warn small sentient beings (i.e. insects) to move from the carrier's path and avoid being accidentally trodden on. Ringing also is used to alert the faithful that there is a monk within earshot in need of alms. The number of rings is determined by the status of the user though most shakujō have six rings which represent the six states of existence (Humans, Animals, Hell, Hungry ghosts, Gods, and Jealous gods).

In Chinese monasteries, the abbot of the temple usually wields the staff during grand ceremonies. The abbot would usually take the shakujō and strike the ground three times, symbolizing the breaking of ignorance.

The wooden shaft can either be long for use as a walking stick or short to accompany in chanting. As a staff, the shakujō could be wielded as a weapon, in Chinese wuxia novels the shakujō is often the weapon of warrior monks, especially those of Shaolin Temple.

[edit] Famous carriers of shakujō

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Probably the most notable carrier of the staff is the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, the patron saint of children and travellers. He is usually depicted holding a shakujō in his right hand.