Statue of Shokannon: Engaku-ji (Oubai-in)

Buddha descends from his pure land to our earthly realm to save all living things universally. He transforms himself into various figures of "Kannon Bosatsu" to pityingly fulfill the diverse wishes of the distressed.

"Kannon" means the deity of mercy who can see through all things in this universe and "Bosatsu" means an avatar of Buddha who devotes himself to spiritually relieve all living creatures from this world of agony.

Shokannon Bosatsu is the most fundamental shape of Kannon Bosatsu and has a modest human-like figure. He wears the jeweled crown in which a small avatar of Amitabha is enshrined and he has a sacred lotus flower in his left hand as the symbol of his divine wisdom and mercy.

Winter garden: Tokei-ji

In the seasons which rotate ceaselessly, all the living and lifeless things of nature are harmoniously woven into the distinctive scenery from each time of the year.

The further winter deepens, the nearer spring approaches. In the freezing air of midwinter, I saw small flower buds enduring coldness on the dry leafless branches of apricot trees.

The fallen leaves have gathered at the feet of the moss-covered image of Kanzeon Bosatsu, which is staring steadily at these decaying leaves while giving them a warm merciful smile.

A stone image of Shokannon in Tokei-ji

A small stone image of Shokannon in the thicket was softly illuminated by a ray of sunshine coming down through the branches of trees.

Shokannon is one of the six Kannons (the Buddhist deities of mercy) and, as a manifestation of the infinite wisdom of Buddha, rescues all living things from Hell.

In the left hand of this Kannon, a lotus flower which is beginning to open is held as the symbol of his supreme wisdom.