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KishimojinKishimojin, in Japanese mythology, was a cannibalistic demon who became a goddess after an encounter with the Buddha. Some stories describe her as an aspect of Kannon. Kishimojin had hundreds of children whom she loved and doted upon. To feed them, she abducted and killed the children of others. The bereaved mothers of her victims pleaded to Shakyamuni Buddha to save them. Shakyamuni stole Aiji, youngest of Kishimojin's sons, and hid him under his rice bowl. Kishimojin desperately searched for her missing son thoughout the universe. Finally, she pleaded with Shakyamuni for help. 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, and vowed to protect all children. Kishimojin became the goddess of easy birthing and the protection and parenting of children.
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