This is another view of the roof of the main gate at Temple #23.
Inside the gate on the first level of the grounds there was a large map showing the locations of the various buildings. This was a bit unusual. Some other temples had maps but none were as touristy as this. The gate is in the lower right and the long stairway connects the different levels. The largest building is the main hall where we chanted the Heart Sutra.
This is the bell tower but seen from the next higher level. It would be interesting to do a study of bell towers. They all look the same, but on close inspection there are many small differences. I have no idea if there are differences by sect. One interesting thing is the bench in the lower left corner. For some reason almost all the benches on the grounds of the various temples are the same light blue color. I do not know if symbolism or chance is responsible.
A statue and one of the lessor buildings. Notice the white area in the bottom right corner. These are are pieces of paper on which people have written requests to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. They are folded up and then tied on horizontal strings. Japanese people frequently leave requests of various kinds at temples and shrines. At Shinto shrines, you can always get your fortune told by picking a folded up paper out of a box. After you read it, you tie it on a nearby tree or string so that the gods can see it.
On the right side of the picture, you can see a roof held up by two posts. Between the posts there are a large number of small pieces of wood on which people have written requests and have left them here so that they can be fulfilled. The people in the doorway are chanting the Heart Sutra. Ian and I did the same, after this group had left.
This is another view of the roof of the main gate at Temple #23.
Inside the gate on the first level of the grounds there was a large map showing the locations of the various buildings. This was a bit unusual. Some other temples had maps but none were as touristy as this. The gate is in the lower right and the long stairway connects the different levels. The largest building is the main hall where we chanted the Heart Sutra.
This is the bell tower but seen from the next higher level. It would be interesting to do a study of bell towers. They all look the same, but on close inspection there are many small differences. I have no idea if there are differences by sect. One interesting thing is the bench in the lower left corner. For some reason almost all the benches on the grounds of the various temples are the same light blue color. I do not know if symbolism or chance is responsible.
A statue and one of the lessor buildings. Notice the white area in the bottom right corner. These are are pieces of paper on which people have written requests to the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. They are folded up and then tied on horizontal strings. Japanese people frequently leave requests of various kinds at temples and shrines. At Shinto shrines, you can always get your fortune told by picking a folded up paper out of a box. After you read it, you tie it on a nearby tree or string so that the gods can see it.
On the right side of the picture, you can see a roof held up by two posts. Between the posts there are a large number of small pieces of wood on which people have written requests and have left them here so that they can be fulfilled. The people in the doorway are chanting the Heart Sutra. Ian and I did the same, after this group had left.
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