Whattsa Who'sa Bodhisattva? - Kshitigarbha (Jizo)

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http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/imag...pan_2011_2.jpg Jizo Bodhisattva is a beloved figure in Japanese Buddhism, and statues of him can often be seen along roads to protect travelers, in temple grounds and cemeteries. He is a figure of Compassion, much as Kannon, who travels anywhere from heaven to hell to help those in need ... especially those who find themselves in a hell of their own making by Greed, Anger and Ignorance.

Jizo has become known over the centuries as a protector of children and women, including expectant mothers. Most of all, he is the protector of deceased children, including stillborn, miscarried or aborted infants. He is thought to protect them in the 'other world', nursing and soothing them, guiding them back for another chance to be born in this world when the time is right. For that reason, he is often seen by the hundreds in cemeteries dressed in children's clothes and a bib, surrounded by toys and dolls.

http://www.brettb.com/images/Jizo_Sc...-ji_temple.jpg

The Jizo at the top is one who remains standing amid mud and rubble despite the recent earthquakes and Tsunami in northern Japan. So many children where lost in that tragedy.


In my heart, I hope that Jizo is with them somehow...


Today’s Sit-A-Long video follows at this link. Remember: recording ends soon after the beginning bells; a sitting time of 15 to 35 minutes is recommended.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSUhIVTnUtU[/youtube]
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I love Jizo and his little red hat!

Gassho,
John

A lovely talk about one of my favourite Bodhisattvas. Thank you Jundo.

I was waiting for Jizo Bosatsu, and especial favorite of mine. A large granite staue of Jizo Bosatsu is set up in my garden and is my gentle childlike monk guide along the path.

Gassho,

Seishin Kyrill

Thank you Jundo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Onshin

A lovely talk about one of my favourite Bodhisattvas.

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And now one of mine. :)

Gassho,
Dosho

falling freely
tears and rain
on the garden Jizo

The stone image of Jizo
kissed on the mouth
by a slug
(from Senry?)

Thank you, Jundo.
Gassho,

Very moving talk. Thank you Jundo.

Now Jizo is my favorite bodhisattva too

Gassho

Rimon

K?itigarbha even has his own s?tra, the s?tra of the great vows of K?itigarbha.

You can read it online here, http://www.cttbusa.org/ess/earthstore2.htm.



(By the way, I can't get over what someone said on another forum, about his name really sounding like "shitty garbha" when you pronounce it. Better to stay with Jizo instead :))

Jundo (or someone else who can speak Japanese):

Can the kanji for Jizo be translated to "earth matrix", "earth store", or something like it, like the original Sanskrit name?

Just curious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anista

Jundo (or someone else who can speak Japanese):

Can the kanji for Jizo be translated to "earth matrix", "earth store", or something like it, like the original Sanskrit name?

Just curious.

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?? is "earth treasury" or "earth storehouse". Also "earth womb"

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo1.shtml

Gassho, J

Jundo,

Sitting with you again after a long absence. I hope to be visiting more in the future, so glad to see that you and many others are still at it.

Jundo-oso;

Thank you; bell or no-bell; I particularly enjoyed the photo gallery. It brought a lot of precious memories;

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/htm...oto-tour.shtml

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jundo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anista

Jundo (or someone else who can speak Japanese):

Can the kanji for Jizo be translated to "earth matrix", "earth store", or something like it, like the original Sanskrit name?

Just curious.

---

?? is "earth treasury" or "earth storehouse". Also "earth womb"

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/jizo1.shtml

Gassho, J

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Great, thanks!

Thank you for this, especially when you talked about Jizo being the protector of children.

Thanks,
Jodi

Thank you Jundo,
nice and cute guy, this Jizo :)
_()_
Peter

I had emailed Jundo about the status of Bodhisattvas in the West (particularly the US), because the idea of them and especially the physical icons was strange to me. One of my questions was how this all translates overseas, since so much of this in Japan seems to be steeped in the ancient animist folk relgions mixed with Buddhist teachings.

I came across this book on Amazon, and the preview (click the picture of the book) will actually let you read the first few pages. They discuss the fact that there aren't really any of these "Jizo gardens" in the US, save for the first of its kind in Oregon.

http://www.amazon.com/Jizo-Bodhisattva- ... sim_hg_1#_

Thought this might interest others. Now that I have two small children, I've been thinking more about how to incorporate elements of Buddhism in their lives, and Jizo seems like such a great "security blanket" figure.

Gassho,
Matt

I enjoyed the "field trip"; thank you, Jundo.

gassho,
Shujin

Thanks Jundo.

Thank you

gassho2

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

Thanks Jundo
Gassho
Dave
sat today

Thank you, Jundo. gassho1

Gassho,
Onkai
SatToday

I feel that Jizo calls to me. He fills me with the desire to share the pain for those in need and show them a way to cope. I hope to incorporate the teaching of Jizo into my work and my practice.

Simon
Sat.