Comments on: Who’s who in Buddhism, part 5: Jizo Bodhisattva http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:44:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3845 Doug Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:34:56 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3845 Hi John, Yeah, once when I went to Kamakura, there was a special exhibit of donated Buddhist art from various temples, and one statue I saw was an almost life-sized, and very inspiring statue of Jizo. The eyes that looked down on me looked almost life-like in the dim light. It was there I also saw some tapestries featuring images of the Pure Land and of Buddhist hells featured in the Ojoyoshu among others. Quite a rare treat. This was at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu shrine if anyone happens to visit there (off to the right of the main shrine/stairs). Hi John,

Yeah, once when I went to Kamakura, there was a special exhibit of donated Buddhist art from various temples, and one statue I saw was an almost life-sized, and very inspiring statue of Jizo. The eyes that looked down on me looked almost life-like in the dim light.

It was there I also saw some tapestries featuring images of the Pure Land and of Buddhist hells featured in the Ojoyoshu among others. Quite a rare treat. This was at the Tsuruoka Hachimangu shrine if anyone happens to visit there (off to the right of the main shrine/stairs).

]]> By: johnl http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3844 johnl Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:30:52 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3844 I don't know anything about Yuzu Nembutsu in particular, but I have seen Sanskrit-inscribed monuments and other signs of esotericism at some Jodo temples. I think there was much more crossover among Buddhist sects in the Kamakura era. It is common to see Jizo-sama at cemeteries and roadside shrines, but I also found him enshrined at the main hall of Zen temple Kenchoji in Kamakura--a very ancient-looking statue, maybe a bit less cute than usual. Well worth a visit! Here is a pic I found: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/371529772_62bc886f9f.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/87409164%40N00/371529772/&usg=__zjVMSAvs78WkjYU65E0R3XKV-JE=&h=500&w=333&sz=163&hl=en&start=9&sig2=2FI1sscL1K5-lNKXIC3IKQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=YOSNmqCUeeY1HM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkenchoji%2Bjizo%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den-us%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=gliIS9__AtCLkAXj-fGfDw I don’t know anything about Yuzu Nembutsu in particular, but I have seen Sanskrit-inscribed monuments and other signs of esotericism at some Jodo temples. I think there was much more crossover among Buddhist sects in the Kamakura era.

It is common to see Jizo-sama at cemeteries and roadside shrines, but I also found him enshrined at the main hall of Zen temple Kenchoji in Kamakura–a very ancient-looking statue, maybe a bit less cute than usual. Well worth a visit! Here is a pic I found:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/371529772_62bc886f9f.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/87409164%40N00/371529772/&usg=__zjVMSAvs78WkjYU65E0R3XKV-JE=&h=500&w=333&sz=163&hl=en&start=9&sig2=2FI1sscL1K5-lNKXIC3IKQ&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=YOSNmqCUeeY1HM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkenchoji%2Bjizo%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Den-us%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=gliIS9__AtCLkAXj-fGfDw

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3841 Doug Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:23:44 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3841 Exactly. I meant to say that I don't have the opportunity to pray before a statue like that as they are not found in Shinshu temples, which is the only one I can go to these days. Exactly. I meant to say that I don’t have the opportunity to pray before a statue like that as they are not found in Shinshu temples, which is the only one I can go to these days.

]]> By: Tornadoes28 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3840 Tornadoes28 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:22:29 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3840 I know that a prayer to Jizo can be done anywhere but I like to go to the Jizo statues in front of the temples and make a prayer to him there. I know that a prayer to Jizo can be done anywhere but I like to go to the Jizo statues in front of the temples and make a prayer to him there.

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3839 Doug Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:14:00 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3839 Hi guys: <strong>Tigeryogiji</strong>: Wow, I have no idea what the association with Yuzu Nembutsu and Jizo/Fudo would be. Fudo Myoo is usually linked with esoteric Buddhism, and Tendai has an esoteric side to it, so I suppose that explains some things. In regards to your other question, I don't think Jizo is asociated with Pure Land Buddhism, though Kannon usually is (as one of two of Amitabha's attendants). <strong>Jamie</strong>: I found that little bowl at a nearby grocery store. I was tempted to buy it, but we have plenty of rice bowls at home, so no need for impulse buying. :p <strong>Tornado</strong>: Heh, glad I am not the only one. :) I pray for my family's well-being from time to time as well, though at home not at the local Shinshu temple (Shinshu is unusual in its rejection of petionary prayer). <strong>Morris</strong>: Glad I could help! :) Hi guys:

Tigeryogiji: Wow, I have no idea what the association with Yuzu Nembutsu and Jizo/Fudo would be. Fudo Myoo is usually linked with esoteric Buddhism, and Tendai has an esoteric side to it, so I suppose that explains some things. In regards to your other question, I don’t think Jizo is asociated with Pure Land Buddhism, though Kannon usually is (as one of two of Amitabha’s attendants).

Jamie: I found that little bowl at a nearby grocery store. I was tempted to buy it, but we have plenty of rice bowls at home, so no need for impulse buying. :p

Tornado: Heh, glad I am not the only one. :) I pray for my family’s well-being from time to time as well, though at home not at the local Shinshu temple (Shinshu is unusual in its rejection of petionary prayer).

Morris: Glad I could help! :)

]]> By: Morris http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3838 Morris Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:04:44 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3838 Great post. Thank you very much. It clears my misunderstanding about Jizo Sutra. Great post. Thank you very much. It clears my misunderstanding about Jizo Sutra.

]]> By: Tornadoes28 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3837 Tornadoes28 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:05:36 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3837 Very good post. I understand your feelings regarding looking to Jizo following the birth of your daughter. I have two small boys and I make it a regular habit to go to the local Shingon or Zen temple here in downtown Los Angeles to speak to Jizo and ask him to look after my family. I know it seems silly but I have a desire to do it and I feel it might have some meaning so that is all that matters to me. Very good post. I understand your feelings regarding looking to Jizo following the birth of your daughter. I have two small boys and I make it a regular habit to go to the local Shingon or Zen temple here in downtown Los Angeles to speak to Jizo and ask him to look after my family. I know it seems silly but I have a desire to do it and I feel it might have some meaning so that is all that matters to me.

]]> By: Jaime McLeod http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3836 Jaime McLeod Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:36:48 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3836 Thanks, Doug. I've had an affection for Jizo ever since I fist began studying Buddhism. The first Zen temple I ever visited had a largish garden Jizo outside, and I was immediately enchanted by him. He remains one of my favorite boddhisattva figures. Beyond the fact that he's cute, I see his archetype - one who braves the very flames of hell for all beings - incredibly inspirational. Despite that babyface, this is one badass bodhsattva! Is that bowl in the photo something you own? Thanks, Doug. I’ve had an affection for Jizo ever since I fist began studying Buddhism. The first Zen temple I ever visited had a largish garden Jizo outside, and I was immediately enchanted by him. He remains one of my favorite boddhisattva figures. Beyond the fact that he’s cute, I see his archetype – one who braves the very flames of hell for all beings – incredibly inspirational. Despite that babyface, this is one badass bodhsattva!

Is that bowl in the photo something you own?

]]> By: tigeryogiji http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2010/02/26/whos-who-in-buddhism-part-5-jizo-bodhisattva/#comment-3835 tigeryogiji Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:45:36 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=5613#comment-3835 Very interesting! I had read a book about Jizo years ago called "Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Travelers, and Other Voyagers" by Jan Chozen Bays that I highly recommend. Also, am I correct to understand that Jizo has some connection with Japanese Pure Land Buddhism? I have seen it mentioned on some websites in the past, and I noticed recently on the Yuzu Nembutsu school's Dainenbutsuji Temple website, that there is a photo of a shrine of their founder(?) with statues of Jizo and Fudo Myo(sp) Bosatsu on each side. What's that about? Some sort of Tendai practice? Very interesting! I had read a book about Jizo years ago called “Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Travelers, and Other Voyagers” by Jan Chozen Bays that I highly recommend.

Also, am I correct to understand that Jizo has some connection with Japanese Pure Land Buddhism? I have seen it mentioned on some websites in the past, and I noticed recently on the Yuzu Nembutsu school’s Dainenbutsuji Temple website, that there is a photo of a shrine of their founder(?) with statues of Jizo and Fudo Myo(sp) Bosatsu on each side. What’s that about? Some sort of Tendai practice?

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