The hall of Jizô is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha (jap. Jizô Bosatsu), one of the most popular bodhisattva in Japan. Jizô is the source of consolation par excellence for beings, as he wanders through hell granting mercy, and is the guardian of children who have died at a young-age. One sees him venerated everywhere, his statues cut of rough stone, with offerings of rice, flowers, child's garments, bibs (red generally, as in the photograph), and the like to him.

 

The original French version of these pages, and many of its photographs, are by Eric Rommeluère, founder of the “Un Zen Occidental” Sangha in Paris, Dharma Heir of Nishijima Roshi and Dharma Brother to Jundo.