Kshitigarbha; sometimes spelt Ksitigarbha; is a bodhisattva mainly worshipped in East Asian and Theravada Buddhism; and is often depicted as a monk with a halo around his shaved head. His name may translate to 'Earth Treasury' or 'Earth Matrix'; and is renowned for his vow to instruct all beings in the six worlds between the death of Gautama Buddha and the ascendance of Maitreya; as well as his oath to not achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.

Thus; Kshitigarbha is often associated with hell and as the bodhisattva of hell-beings. He is also the guardian of children and patron deity for deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture; where he is known by the name Jizo or Ojizo-sama. In Thailand and Laos; a bhikkhu named Phra Malai is often associated with Kshitigarbha due to their similar qualities; where he descends to Hell to teach and comfort the suffering hell-beings.