Japan

An Unforgettable Day...

         
           Again that day, we were going out for sightseeing in Japan as a part of a conducted tour by Tokyo International centre.  Of course, we had got the briefing that the city we are going to visit is of special importance in Japan.  Our destination  was introduced as popular tourist attraction and pilgrimage centre. 

Yes, we were heading towards Kamakura – the temple city of Japan.  Kamakura is an ancient capital city of Japan.  There are many historical sites and cultural treasures in Kamakura in addition to a large number of shrines and temples located there. (Already posted ‘In the land of Big Budha’ and ‘A fortune card for you’ descibing my visits to some parts of Kamakura).

The way to the temples up is a narrow lane with mainly maple trees on both sides.  In the ground we saw a special water spot, formed by collecting water, flowing out through bamboo pipes, from an unknown source may be somewhere up hill !!!

 The sight of colourful fishes swimming in the branches of that water body was also very attractive.

 We went inside a temple cave, it is a big cave, where a number of Gods and Goddesses are carved out of rock and worshipped by litting candles.  The light emanating from hundreds of candles were the main source of light in that cave temple. 

There is a statue resembling to Indian Goddess –Saraswati also in that temple (I couldn’t capture that photo clearly iside the cave).  However, a statue of that Devi is placed iside a small pond, outside the cave.

Next we were, standing infront of God of Children, a place dedicated to the soul of children lost by abortion or miscarriage.  Remembering those most unfortunate lives in a very special way…..

 While further climbing the hills, we saw statues, reiterating the divine presence there, symbolising ‘complete surrender to God’.

We reached the complex of the Hasedera temple.   It is the abode of Kannon Bodhisattva (Jp. = Bosatsu) emboding compassion and is one of the most widely worshiped divinities in Japan and mainland Asia.   ‘Avalokitesvara’, the Sanskrit name for this deity, can be translated as "Lord Who Regards All," and the Sino-Japanese term ‘Kannon’ maintains this, for Kannon literally means "watchful listening," and is often translated as "the one who sees/hears all."

There is a large 11-headed gilt statue (photography not allowed), depicting the compassionate Kannon -- to witness/listen to the prayers and cries (sounds) of those in difficulty in the earthly realm, and to help them achieve enlightenment.  This statue stands over nine meters high, making it the largest wooden statue in Japan. Folklore says, the monk Tokudo carved this wooden statue from a giant camphor tree in 721 AD, who made two images from the same tree. The first image was enshrined in a temple in Nara Prefecture, while the second (the statue now at Hase Dera in Kamakura) was cast into the sea with prayers that it float to an area where it had greatest karmic connection and thereafter save souls in that area. According to legend, it washed up on shore in 736, at Nagai, in the Miura Peninsula, slightly south of Kamakura, glowing brightly, it is said, and later it was transferred to its present site at Hase Dera in Kamakura.

Next to this Kannon-do is a building where a golden seated statue of Yakuyoke (Protector from Evil Spirits) Amida Budha, is enshrined.  



        We further, climbed up, got a wonderful view of the temple complex from the top.



       On the far side of the upper level is a platform overlooking Yuigahama/ Zaimokuza Beaches and Sagami Bay with Zushi Marina and the Miura Penisula in the distance.  There are picnic tables and drink vending machines for the visitor's comfort.

               A view of the sea beaches from the Kamakura hills...


            While decending the Kamakura hills, I felt like sensing the divine vibrations alive in that beautiful and serene place.  That day was really unforgettable....



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