Sekizan Zenin Temple
Ref.#18 1905 ~ Sekizan Zenin Temple, Kyoto
Following the route indicated on the signs, you will come across two large rings of wooden prayer beads, one at the temple’s main hall and another near the end of the route past the Fudō-dō hall. Think of a wish when you step through the first ring and continue to meditate until you pass through the second. If the wish still feels important, pray to the deity for help in your effort to make it come true. Be careful not to step on the beads, as they have the wishes of many people inscribed on them!
In addition to being used to count the number of prayers made, juzu beads represent an important concept of becoming one with the Buddha by chanting mantras. Every year on November 23rd, when the maple leaves are at their most beautiful, Sekizan Zen-in holds its Juzu Kuyō ritual to express respect and gratitude to prayer beads that are no longer in use before laying them to rest with a memorial service.
Nikon D850-47mp Digital Image
