Jizo Bodhisattva: Guardian of Children, Travelers, and Other Voyagers

Having read "Liquid Life" by William R. LaFleur I was ready for a deeper study of Jizo bodhisattva. When I first picked up Bays' book on this embodiment of compassion I expected a feel-good read. Not entirely so! The author is a paediatrician who deals with sometimes-horrific child abuse (I am grateful she said no more on this) and her husband, also a Zen priest, works with prisoners. These courageous beings themselves represent the fearless compassion that is Jizo; willing to face the most distressing aspects of human misery. Jizo bodhisattva is beloved to the Japanese, for whom he has taken on special duties to do with children and babies who have died, and miscarried and aborted foetuses. This is a peculiarly Japanese extension of his particular concern with those suffering in the hell realms. It is in this latter role that he is best known in China as Dizang Wang, a bodhisattva who first came to light as Kshitigarbha in ancient Indian Buddhism. All of these aspects of Jizo/Kshitigarbha's history and character are presented with a heart-felt quality such that I was both informed and moved by this book. It took me on a most unexpected journey. I found myself surprisingly engaged by the figure of Kshitigarbha. I came to realise that Kshitigarbha had already been there in my practice as one of the Buddha's "Eight Close Sons," the main bodhisattvas in the Mahayana Sutras, in recognition of which I now practice a few additional minutes of recitation daily. There is an inwardness that communicates itself through the images and stories that Bays presents. In Buddhist practice we seek to become that which we, cough, worship. Daily I see the disturbing reality of aging, sickness and death in my work as a nurse. Bays' book encourages me to explore the possibility of, like Jizo, engaging courageously with the distressing face of suffering. Thankyou, Roshi-san.

Jan Chozen Bay's book on Jizo marks a pathway to the deepest aspirations of the human being and of the Buddha Dharma. Jizo may set the world standard for the Buddhist vision of a compassionate life where the seeker forgoes continuously personal salvation and Nirvana in order to serve those more needy souls. Most Buddhists are aware of and have a close relationship to Kwan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and, currently embodied by the Dalai Lama. Kwan Yin embodies the subtle touch of a thousand hands. These healing hands customize and specialize in offering compassion for the world. Kwan Yin is often pictured holding a medicine bottle and standing or sitting on top of a dragon and fire and riding the safety of a turtle in the seas of birth and death. Jizo, the guardian deity of children, travelers and others is also the guardian of the Earth Storehouse and Hell Realm. Jizo appears in Japan as a childlike figure with a red bib symbolizing the offering to the sprit of aborted fetuses. Jizo also appears emerging from the Earth -- symbolic of our origination and our profound duty to serve our home world. One of Jizo's spiritual missions is embodied in her simple vow -- "until hell is empty!!" This dedication is to the needs of departed child spirits, the earth itself and the most desperate souls - those in a living Hell This mission of Jizo is profoundly transformative to the Buddhist seeker -- fearless we step forward to do our best to heal the worlds knowing that this is a never-ending journey and that Jizos' path is enlightenment itself. The Way of Jizo contrasts sharply with the many religions concerned with finding the fastest freeway to Heaven.. The Way of Jizo offers us a bold alternative view of life and full time employment. If you are ready Jizo is waiting for you in this deepest, and profoundly hopeful of books

Jan Chozen Bays studied under Taizan Maezumi Roshi, one of my favorite Zen masters. She is head dharma teacher at Jizo Mountain Great Vow Zen Monastery in Oregon. Also a doctor, she devotes her "free time" towards preventing and uncovering early signs of child abuse. Which is ironic, because Jizo Bodhisattva is closely associated with children, believed to be their guardian from birth, throughout their life and after the child dies. Jizo often has a special significance for Buddhists who have either lost a child through miscarriage or at a young age.In this book, Jan Bays offers us a fascinating history of this magnificent (and often overlooked) bodhisattva. She explains the rituals and practices directly associated with him, like ceremonies involving remembering children who have died of illness, et cetera. I have always been amazed how striking it is that this author is a person who cares for children's well being, is a Zen master, and heads Jizo Monastery. That's no mere coincidence. Jan Chozen Bays IS Jizo bodhisattva. This book is more than wonderful, it's...there is no word for it. So buy it, you'll understand. I recommend this especially to those whom have lost a child or whom are expecting one.