Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Naritasan

Naritasan is a large Buddhist temple area near the Narita International Airport in Japan. Here's a video of a small portion of the grounds.



The main deity worshiped here is Fudo Myoo...the 'immovable one' and protector of Buddhism. Here's a picture of some folks praying to an image of him.



At the main temple, I was able to see a Goma rite. From the temple's web site:


The Goma rite is a mysterious temple service in which we pray to Fudomyoo, the main deity of Naritasan Temple, for the fulfillment of our wishes. A chief priest burns Gomasticks with various burnt offerings, The fire, a symbol of the wisdom of Fudomyoo, extinguishes our earthly passions, which are symbolized by the sticks, and brings us to a higher state of mind to win the virtues and favors of Fudomyoo.


The chief priest started a fire on a gold altar in the middle of the temple. There was chanting and a big drum that was played occasionally. The priests would gather purses, bags, and other things from the audience of around 200 people, and wave them over the fire and then return them.

Quite creepy.

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