About Sabrina
WHERE IT BEGAN: My aspiration to depict Jizo on stone and later on other materials, started long after my journey into the world of Zen Buddhism began, some 20 years ago. During my practice and inquiry into the Zen way of life, I became increasingly intrigued by this small monk's powerful and heartwarming story. What inspired me most were the positive effects this littlest big-hearted monk had on all he encountered. I was definitely no exception.
HEART CONNECTION: I quickly discovered that Jizo was said to be the protector and guardian of women, children, and travelers. This 2,500-year-old monk, with his soft, gentle, and friendly appearance awakened a safety, ease, and comfort in me I hadn’t encountered with any other spiritual figure. Growing up in a single-parent home, living through years of less than safe situations, a deep affinity developed for these joy-filled, warm-hearted monks of protection, calm and loving-kindness. The stories they carry with them offered my younger parts safe refuge from a less than nurturing childhood and of course, this made my heart sing.
DEEPER DIVE: As a Buddhist psychotherapist and maker mom, my kids and I spent hours learning about and making terra cotta versions of Jizo, some 14 years ago that I still cherish today. I was truly captivated by this little beloved monk – “a friend to all”. This interest in Jizo evolved over the next decade into reading every book I could find on Jizo nature, history and usage of these humble monks as a protective symbol, like angels, dream catchers, Hamsa hands, the Eye of Horace, saints or talismen, Jizō offered the sense that we are never alone, and never far away from support & resources.
EVOLUTION: Four years ago, as we prepared for living full time in our 24-foot Airstream travel trailer and were looking to name her, the idea of Jizo being the protector of travelers occurred to me, and voila, we had our Airstream's name, Jizo – the Traveling Zen Den! It was around this time I began experimenting with painting Jizo on rocks and sprinkling these little monk stones on our travels all over the country for others to find and enjoy. My vow was to share 10,000 Jizos with this world so in need of peace, protection, and joy. I am almost there, with now no end in sight - I will indeed continue making Jizos. As nomads for nearly two years, we made many friends through our Jizo connection and our Traveling Zen Den Instagram carried over 5,000 kindred spirits, in the form of virtual passengers along for the nomad ride, adopting and offering out Jizo vibes as fast as I could make and mail them! This event brought further interest and energy to my mission to leave this world smiling one Jizo at a time. Beyond stone today you can find Jizo monks having adventures in all sorts of materials; clay, sterling & paper, in every state in the USA and in 18 countries around the world!
To adopt a mini tribe of traveling Jizōs
to sprinkle on your next adventure…