Sanzu River
A Japanese Buddhist river where souls cross after death.
The Sanzu River, or Sanzu-no-Kawa, is a mythological river in Japanese Buddhist tradition that souls must cross after death. Its three crossing points—a bridge, a ford, and snake-infested waters—are assigned based on the weight of one's offenses. A toll of six mon is required, a practice reflected in Japanese funerals where the fee is placed in the casket.
Quick Facts
- Alternate names
- Sanzu-no-Kawa
- Location in popular belief
- Mount Osore, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan
- Crossing points
- bridge
- ford
- snake-infested waters
- Toll
- six mon
- Related realm
- Sai no Kawara
- Associated figure
- Jizō-bosatsu (Bodhisattva Jizō)
Facts from the source article.
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