Kṣitigarbha Homa

Schedule and Information

The Kṣitigarbha Homa is a prayer in which, through the goma performed before the image of Jizō, we hold a memorial for the departed and offer prayers to watch over our children.

The goma is a Shingon prayer rite in which the wisdom-fire is kindled in the homa hearth and pieces of homa wood are cast one by one into the flames, chanting mantras as the rite is performed. We read aloud the name and wish of each petitioner and hold each one to the flames as we pray.

Kṣitigarbha is the bodhisattva who vowed to save every suffering being without leaving a single one behind. Looking up to his earth-like great compassion, we pray for our children's growth and for the memorial of the departed.

The Jizō at Byōdōji is a bronze seated image, cast around 1750 through the donations of the people of Tsuyama in Okayama. He holds a monk's staff in his right hand and a wish-fulfilling jewel in his left, seated upon a lotus pedestal.

The monthly goma on the 24th is performed before this image of Jizō.

About the Statue

The 24th is the feast day of Kṣitigarbha. It has been a fixed day since the Heian period, and the 24th of the first month in particular is called the "first Jizō" (hatsu-jizō). Jizō statues and Jizō halls across the land hold feast-day observances and rituals on the 24th of each month.

At Byōdōji, in keeping with this feast day of Jizō, we perform the Kṣitigarbha Homa on the 24th of every month.

Jizō is the bodhisattva who vowed that only after he has finished saving all suffering beings will he himself, last of all, become a buddha.

The root scripture of Kṣitigarbha, the *Sutra of the Original Vows of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva*, sets forth the vow that Jizō made before the Buddha in a past life.

The Working of Jizō

Along with your prayer request, you can receive items matched to the honzon of this service.

On the night of the 24th each month, before the image of Jizō, we perform the goma in the following way.

The *Sutra of the Original Vows of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva* teaches that the merit of the memorial offered for the departed returns not only to the departed but also to the one who offers it. A prayer that thinks of the departed is also a prayer that sustains those living now.

To the Kṣitigarbha Homa you may entrust many kinds of prayers, prayers that think of your children and of the departed.

You can apply at the sutra office or online. Even when you apply online, we read your name and wish aloud and offer the prayer at Byōdōji, and you can join the ritual through the stream.

Year-long Prayer (annual prayer)

We also accept the annual prayer, in which your name is read aloud and prayed over at the Kṣitigarbha Homa on the 24th of every month for a full year. On the application form, select "12" months for the period.

Choose a Goma by your wish

Compare Byodoji's five monthly Goma rites by wish, including prayers for healing, protection from misfortune, work, and memorial services.

Explore Ksitigarbha through three gateways

Jizō is the buddha who stands beside those who suffer, guides the departed, and watches over young children. The sacred fire of the homa on the 24th of each month is there so that we may look up, here and now, to the working of that great compassion.

To those who wish for a child's growth and to those who wish to hold a memorial for the departed, we offer the Kṣitigarbha Homa on the 24th of every month. We pray sincerely for the peace of all of you and of those with whom you share an affinity.