About Jizōs

 

 

    

 

ABOUT JIZŌ 

 

INTRODUCTION: Welcome traveler; we’re so glad you’re here! Our name is Jizo, beloved littlest big-hearted monk. We are the guardians of women, children, and all life’s travelers.  You can find us on altars, in temples, and at crossroads all over Japan. We can be seen providing safe passage through life to all and offering protection for those that have crossed over, especially children.  We entered world history around 2,500 years ago in India and from there moved to China, (where we were named Ti-Tang) and then later to Japan, where we got our name – “JIZO” or earth treasure storehouse. Later we continued our journey through other parts of the world, introduced in the United States around 1969.

 

JIZO THE SHAPESHIFTER: We began in a previous life as a loving daughter of a mean-spirited mother destined for the hell realm at death. Our mother was spared by our offering of a self-less vow to remain on earth and give our life in service of caring for those who suffer, thus we became a bodhisattva (enlightened being), which meant in that time that we had to take on a male form. Although enlightened, we decided to stay on earth until every sentient being was free from suffering and the causes of suffering. This is the bodhisattva vow. So you see, like everyone, we have both feminine and masculine energy. Sometimes we will appear formal and aloof like a sentinel for peace and justice; we carry many sacred objects with us as well. At other times, and overwhelmingly here in the U.S., we are represented as our more popular form appearing as a young, kind-hearted, child-like monk. We transform depending on the needs of those suffering and for this reason, we have been called spiritual multi-taskers, wise and compassionate shapeshifters.

 

PLEASE NOTE: throughout this website the terms she/her and he/his will be used interchangeably to denote and honor our his/her story.

 

JIZO MAKER DISCOVERY: Sabrina thinks she discovered us about 20 years ago when she became a student of Buddhism although we have been with her since she was a small child in an unsafe home. We watched over her and helped her escape and ultimately set herself free with the help of her incredible abuelos and epic partner. Along with these special individuals she credits becoming a therapist and mentor, serving others who had escaped similar childhoods, with truly saving her life.

 

Today we offer her a path to express her love and gratitude for this one precious life, to shine gentle light, to remind others that they too are cherished and not alone, to offer comfort and acknowledge the importance of self-care & self-compassion, and to serve to spread Jizo vibes and the message that we all carry Jizo nature wherever we go. We are grateful to provide her with a way to offer our vibes to a world so in need of safe nurturing, skillful relating, warm-hearted presence and plenty of smiles!

 

 

YOU ARE A JIZO: In her book, Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Travelers & Other Voyagers, Jan Chozen Bayes offers the notion that Jizo nature is in everyone and everything; a blade of grass, scrap of paper, all sentient beings and even sticks and stones, possess Jizo nature. This nature of basic goodness can be cultivated by developing a delicate balance between power and heart in all things.  So you see we are in each rock, piece of paper, lump of clay, and scrap of fabric Sabrina lovingly paints. We show up under her brush, when we are ready to emerge and honor our vow to comfort, protect and bring peace to all those we encounter, especially those that suffer at any level. Now more than ever we have our work cut out for us! You can find out more about us under the Jizo Journal tab (hotlink to blog post landing page) and see more about our adventures, once adopted, under the Jizo Gallery tab (hotlink to gallery). See you there! Below is a little gift for you. Chant slowly and softly several times.

 

 

Om – Ka – Ka – Kabi – San - Ma – E - Sowa – Ka

This dharani (short chant) is associated with Jizo. Chanting it invokes the

energy of Jizo and may dispel distressing repetitive thoughts.