A child did something disrespectful to Jizo

Today, I took my 6-year-old daughter to visit graves at ancestral graves nearby.

After washing my hands at the entrance and exit on my way home, I noticed that I had forgotten my handkerchief, but somehow, there was a little Jizo next to Rokujizo (Mizuko Jizo? I've heard that, but I'm not sure exactly. (They are in a position close to the ground where they are crouching and worshiping), they laughed and nodded, and ended up pouring water on their hands from above.
I was surprised, and on the spot, I said, “What are you doing! You can't do that to Jizo!” They scolded and said apologize properly, and the two of them put their hands together to tell them they were sorry.

I was curious both on my way home and after I got home, and when I asked my daughter why she did that, she said, “They always give them water, so I thought it would be good to pour water there. It said, “I'm sorry...”

I told my daughter that graves are places where deceased people are resting quietly, that you can't play around, that you shouldn't be rude to God and Buddha, that if it's Mizuko Jizo, that they are holding memorial services for babies who have gone back to the sky, and that in the past they were told that if you did such a thing, you would be punished (bad things happen), etc., and even though my daughter didn't know, they were crying again, so we cried together once again The two of us went to say sorry to Jizo.

Even though I didn't know it because I was a kid, I wasn't able to fully convey it, and I was worried that I would be punished, so I asked a question about what to do.

What's more, I happened to be on my way to visit graves, and my daughter was doing it while talking about “I wonder if I can have a baby when I grow up, I want to give birth,” so I thought what would it be even more like if it were Mizuko Jizo... and did something punishable, and I'm filled with a feeling of fear and worry about what to do if the punishment hits.

When I went to apologize for the second time, my daughter had been holding hands for a very long time, and she said sorry over and over again and honestly talked about everything her mom said to her and how she thought she wanted to have a baby.

I've already done it, so I have no choice but to apologize, but please tell me how to take this.

3 Zen Responses

It's fine

Thank you for showing your child how much respect you have for Jizo.
However, don't be angry, fearful, or anxious.
It's fine.
Don't worry, you don't need to worry about your child's behavior.
Buddha statues are a medium (tool) for imagining and respecting the Buddha, and the Buddha statue itself is not the Buddha himself.
Also, if the Buddha statue has been damaged, there is a possibility that reimbursement etc. will be necessary, but since the Jizo outside originally started raining and bird droppings may hit it, it won't be damaged if you pour water on it.
Anger and fear are afflictions that cause worry, suffering, and stress.
Being emotional about a young child's unscrupulous behavior can cause stress.
Jizo, who has a compassionate heart, probably doesn't care.
There is no such thing as applying punishment to the Buddha or Bodhisattva (Buddha's apprentice) who preach mercy.
Well, a difficult story won't work for a 6 year old.
If you imagine a scene where you bathe (bathe) Jizo, it would be better to pour water on it with a ladle or the like instead of pouring water on it with your hands, so let's teach your child to treat Jizo like a human (avoid putting water on them if they do it) and gently smile.

I think the time spent with parents and children has become an important legal marriage where people come into contact with Buddhism

Thank you for caring about Jizo.
Together with my mother, I visited graves and visited Jizo. What a cute and nice kid.
The situation came to my eyes, and it made me smile.

It's because my daughter has feelings for my daughter.
They probably applied it gently like a splash of water.

I think this time with my parents and children has become an important legal marriage where I came into contact with Buddhism. I'm sure my daughter won't forget the teachings she hears from her mother.
I think Jizo arranged this relationship for your lovely parents and children, and made them meet. That's why Jizo's ancestors are probably smiling and nodding.

The sight of a small child putting their hands together brings tears to my eyes.
Your precious heart is properly equipped.
Mom, you're raising your child to be a good child, aren't you?

Even if children make mistakes from now on, don't use the Buddha as a shield

　Miyo-san, I've already received the child's repentance against Jizo, and I thought the children understood it well, so please stop blaming everyone. The Buddha doesn't punish you, he simply walks with you no matter what is done, so even if something bad happens to you or your family in the future, it's not a punishment from Jizo or Buddha. Please don't believe monks or fortune tellers who say such things
In the future, when you discipline children, please explain the logic and reason of what went wrong without getting angry at the Buddha or Jizo with an umbrella. Children have no choice but to rely on you to live. Please be someone who can take your child's side
Children's excitement is because you are here

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