Blessed Ksitigarbha's Listening Beast

Blessed Ksitigarbha's Listening Beast

　　The Listening Beast, also known as the "Unicorn," "Earth Listener," or "Good Listener," is the sacred treasure of Mount Jiuhua. It is said to have been the mount of the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. When the Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha made Mount Jiuhua his spiritual base and committed himself to practice, the Listening Beast accompanied him day and night, helping him overcome all dangers and eventually attain enlightenment. In Buddhism, the Listening Beast is revered as a divine dog. Later generations admired its understanding of Buddhist principles, its human-like intelligence, and its ability to ward off evil, viewing it as a symbol of good fortune.

The Listening Beast embodies the auspicious features of many mythical beasts, combining their most noble traits in one form—its head is that of a tiger, it has a single horn, dog-like ears, a dragon’s body, a lion’s tail, and the feet of a qilin. Its unique shape and rich symbolism have led people to cherish it as a “treasure for protecting the home,” a “dignified presence in temples,” an “elf of heaven and earth,” and a “symbol of all creatures.” It is widely collected as a treasured item.

　　This artifact is currently housed at Mount Jiuhua. Made of bronze, it originates from the Qing Dynasty, measures 84.5 cm in length, 72.5 cm in height, and weighs 125 kg. It depicts a unicorn suddenly turning its head, with the base inscribed with the words “Made by Wu of Meicheng, Gusu.” It is a nationally protected cultural relic. In May 1987, it was enshrined at Huacheng Temple (the Jiuhua Mountain Historical Relics Museum), the founding temple of Mount Jiuhua, and is considered a treasured heirloom of the mountain’s temples.

This item is a miniature replica of the cultural relic, with a limited edition of 999 authorized for collection.