This is me on one of the paths through the very low hills between some of first day temples.
This is the approach to Temple #3 with the formal gate in the center. As we went through these gates, we stopped and bowed. Also it is customary, although not everyone follows the custom, to enter on the left side and exit on the right side. Many people, however, did the reverse and some paid no attention whatsoever. The idea is that the middle is left free for Kobo Daishi and the Emperor.
Many of the temples have hexagonal buildings like this. Sometime in the future, I hope to discover what their significance is - probably an esoteric meaning related to the shape. Also I am not sure what they are used for, although I surmise that they would be used for meditation and rites.
The grounds of most of the temples, especially the more popular ones, are full of statuary. Some in prominent positions and others hidden in nooks and crannies. One of the things that bothered me about our fixed schedule (requiring us to constantly hurry on to the next temple) was that we were unable to explore the temple grounds. An idea pilgrimage would be one in which at least a day was available at each temple. This would allow exploration, photography, drawing and meditation.
Almost every one of the temples has a pagoda located somewhere on the grounds. The pagoda has all sorts of esoteric meanings attached to it, but in the very earliest times it represented the grave of Sakamuni, the historical Buddha. The little building in front of the pagoda is the fountain for washing your hands before you proceed up the stairs to the main building.
I do not have time today to work out which temple this was, but it may have been #4. To know for sure, I would have to compare the time that the photo was taken to our route for the day, but I have started classes again and must prepare for my two classes later today. This garden was beautiful and well care for, a joy to behold.
This may have been Temple #4 or #5. One of the problems in knowing is that on this day we visited seven temples with only about a half hour walk between each pair. As you can see, even though it was March 2nd, the bushes in front of the temple were beginning to flower.
Ian standing in front of the main building on one of the temples. This is the area in which we gave the 100 yen, putting it in the brown box behind Ian, and the osamefuda when int he grey box on the right (with writing on the front). Then we chanted the Heart Sutra. Sometimes we stood where Ian is standing, at some temples we stood on the stairs, and at other temples we stood at the bottom of the stairs, even off to the side occasionally. It depended on how many other people were there at the time. We tried to avoid being in anyone else's way.
This is me on one of the paths through the very low hills between some of first day temples.
This is the approach to Temple #3 with the formal gate in the center. As we went through these gates, we stopped and bowed. Also it is customary, although not everyone follows the custom, to enter on the left side and exit on the right side. Many people, however, did the reverse and some paid no attention whatsoever. The idea is that the middle is left free for Kobo Daishi and the Emperor.
Many of the temples have hexagonal buildings like this. Sometime in the future, I hope to discover what their significance is - probably an esoteric meaning related to the shape. Also I am not sure what they are used for, although I surmise that they would be used for meditation and rites.
The grounds of most of the temples, especially the more popular ones, are full of statuary. Some in prominent positions and others hidden in nooks and crannies. One of the things that bothered me about our fixed schedule (requiring us to constantly hurry on to the next temple) was that we were unable to explore the temple grounds. An idea pilgrimage would be one in which at least a day was available at each temple. This would allow exploration, photography, drawing and meditation.
Almost every one of the temples has a pagoda located somewhere on the grounds. The pagoda has all sorts of esoteric meanings attached to it, but in the very earliest times it represented the grave of Sakamuni, the historical Buddha. The little building in front of the pagoda is the fountain for washing your hands before you proceed up the stairs to the main building.
I do not have time today to work out which temple this was, but it may have been #4. To know for sure, I would have to compare the time that the photo was taken to our route for the day, but I have started classes again and must prepare for my two classes later today. This garden was beautiful and well care for, a joy to behold.
This may have been Temple #4 or #5. One of the problems in knowing is that on this day we visited seven temples with only about a half hour walk between each pair. As you can see, even though it was March 2nd, the bushes in front of the temple were beginning to flower.
Ian standing in front of the main building on one of the temples. This is the area in which we gave the 100 yen, putting it in the brown box behind Ian, and the osamefuda when int he grey box on the right (with writing on the front). Then we chanted the Heart Sutra. Sometimes we stood where Ian is standing, at some temples we stood on the stairs, and at other temples we stood at the bottom of the stairs, even off to the side occasionally. It depended on how many other people were there at the time. We tried to avoid being in anyone else's way.
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