Jizō Bodhisattva means “Womb of the Earth.”
What is JIZO (Jizō Bodhisattva)?
Jizō Bodhisattva, (known in Sanskrit as Kṣitigarbha, pronounced “Kshi-ti-gar-bha”), means “Womb of the Earth.” Just as the earth unconditionally nurtures and embraces all life, Jizō is a bodhisattva who saves sentient beings with boundless compassion. Jizō is particularly known for the vow to protect and rescue suffering beings in the six realms (hell, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, humans, and heavens) during the long period from Shakyamuni Buddha’s passing until the appearance of Maitreya Buddha.
The Beloved Form of Jizō in Japan
Jizō Bodhisattva appears in various forms, but the most cherished in Japan is the gentle monk-like figure (bhikṣu form) with a shaven head. Holding a wish-fulfilling jewel (nyoi hōju) in the left hand and a staff (khakkhara) in the right, this quietly accompanying presence heals people’s hearts.
Many roadside stone statues take this form. Adorned with red bibs or hats, these “O-Jizō-sama” are widely revered as guardians of children, for memorializing water spirits or prematurely deceased children, and for travelers’ safety prayers. They symbolize “silent compassion”—simply being there without judgment for those in suffering.
The POWERFUL JIZO Project
In the POWERFUL JIZO project, we reinterpret the spirit of this traditional Jizō Bodhisattva as contemporary digital art. A quiet prayer—the wordless silence that spreads in the heart—is etched into NFT art using blockchain’s permanence, delivered as a Digital Talisman. Invisible wishes are shared in an eternal form, gently conveying vibrations of peace and protection to someone’s heart.
Everything begins with a quiet intention.
May the unconditional warmth of Jizō Bodhisattva’s compassion be by your side.