Buddhist Temple in Kyoto

[Celebration]

I'm not trying to solicit responses there or anything, but I got back from a short trip to Japan about a week ago and just posted pictures of my favorite Buddhist temple in Kyoto in the photography group, if you are interested in seeing them. Seems silly to post them twice. I posted another group of pictures there earlier as well, on signs in Japan.

The temple shots are sort of typical vacation pictures. Not sure that the Photography group is into all that. But I loved this particular temple and grounds.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x54751

[MagickMuffin]

1. They are amazing pics.

I just posted a reply :hug:

[Celebration]

3. oh, thanks

I appreciate the replies (you and IHAD). The photography group is sort of divided between the cool geeks that know all about the gadgets and those that just sort of snap pictures. I had my pocket camera with me, thankfully, because we walked so much on that trip. I wouldn't have wanted to carry around anything bigger.

Answering your question, I was in Tokyo for two nights and Kyoto for four nights--one of those days went to Nara. Although, I thought I was there a week. I guess I was on the plane for one night, LOL.

I'm no world traveler, and get pretty jet lagged. But my daughter lives in Japan.

[I Have A Dream]

2. Yes, they're beautiful! nt

[Celebration]

4. oh, man, I want some of that incense!! n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. What a feeling of peace

I got from the photos! Thanks for sharing!

[Celebration]

12. And peace is what I needed then n/t

[get the red out]

6. Very nice pictures

The big "kettle" where the burning incense is placed looks exactly like the one I saw in a temple in Guangzhou, China when I was there in January (the only overseas trip I have made in my life). It was the most peaceful place we visited in that hectic country. I also notice the raised door entrance in one picture too, to keep the bad spirits out is what our Chinese guide told us. We were fortunate, our guide turned out to be Buddhist herself (my sister and I are not, she's liberal Christian and I'm "out there") and was able to explain everything in detail, and get a blessing for my sister's little girl she had just adopted as well. It was a wonderful experience. The Monks do such good work for the local people.

Lighting the incense sticks and placing them in the big burner was such a cool thing.

[Celebration]

9. And I just got back from Whole Foods

And I got some incense sticks! Not quite the same atmosphere around here, but at least I'll have the smell.

Wish I could have had a tour like you. I'm sure that was fascinating.

China--what a place to go for your one overseas trip! Do you have any pictures?

[get the red out]

11. I have tons at home

I need to post them somewhere accessible. I will look into that.

[Dover]

7. There is such a beautiful stillness in these photos & their subject. Did you realize what week this

is? Or is it just one of those delightfully magical synchronistic things?

This is the week of Wesak (or Vesak) - "Buddha's Birthday" celebrated by many on the Taurus Full Moon.
It actually encompasses the birth, enlightenment Nirvana, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha.

Full Moon in Scorpio
Friday, May 8, 2009
9:01 PDT
18º 40’




______________

Wesak/Vesak (from the name of the second month in the Hindu calendar, Vaisakha) is the most holy time in the Buddhist calendar. The word Vesak itself is the Sinhalese language word for the Pali word "Visakha". Vesak is also known as Visakah Puja or Buddha Purnima in India and Nepal, Visakha Bucha in Thailand, Waisak in Indonesia, Vesak (Wesak) in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, and Saga Dawa in Tibet. The equivalent festival in Laos is called Vixakha Bouxa. Vesak is a public holiday in many Asian countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and so on.

The decision to agree to celebrate Vesak as the Buddha¹s birthday was formalized at the first Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (W.F.B.) held in Sri Lanka in 1950, although festivals at this time in the Buddhist world are a centuries-old tradition.

The second of the three major spiritual planetary festivals, The Wesak Festival, The Buddha's Blessing, and is celebrated in the eastern hemisphere at the Taurus full moon. This is the festival of The Buddha, divine intermediary between the highest spiritual center, Shamballa, and the Hierarchy.

The Buddha is the expression of the Wisdom of God, the embodiment of light and the indicator of divine purpose.

On Vesak day, devout Buddhists are expected to assemble in various temples before dawn for the ceremonial hoisting of the Buddhist Flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (His teachings), and The Sangha (His disciples). Devotees may bring simple offerings of flowers, candles and joss-sticks to lay at the feet of their teacher. These symbolic offerings are to remind followers that just as the beautiful flowers would wither away after a short while and the candles and joss-sticks would soon burn out, so too is life subject to decay and destruction. Devotees are enjoined to make a special effort to refrain from killing of any kind. They are encouraged to partake of vegetarian food for the day.

In some countries, notably Sri Lanka, two days are set aside for the celebration of Vesak and all liquor shops and slaughter houses are closed by government decree during the two days. Birds and animals are also released by the thousands in a symbolic act to liberation, of giving freedom to those who are in captivity. However, it is not recommended that birds be released in the heart of crowded cities, because by doing so we may cause harm to the poor bewildered birds which are unable to fly far after a long period of captivity. Unscrupulous bird dealers would recapture such birds for resale to well meaning devotees. If birds are to be released it is recommended that this be done in rural areas where the birds can achieve real freedom. Some devout Buddhists will wear a simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the observance of the Eight Precepts.


Taurus Full Moon in Scorpio
Wesak - the Sun in Taurus - Scorpio Full Moon - is the most powerful Full Moon of the year. The Sun's transit through Taurus exalts the Moon and Taurus is ruled by Venus, the spiritual ruler of Earth. Venus is identified with Mary, the World Mother. May, the month of Taurus, is the month of Mary. Venus appears in the west as the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl who brought enlightenment to the Mayans; in the east she is Maya, mother of the Buddha.

The lunar cycle is a wave of creation that comes to fruition when the Moon is full. Each Full Moon brings revelation and possibility for healing body, mind, and soul. The Moon is the Mother whence comes reflected Light of the spiritual Sun to nurture, support, protect, and bring to flower the seeds of creation.

The Full Moon is like a pitcher pouring out a healing elixir. The celestial dispensation continues for three days following the day of the Full Moon. Calm and balance, deep breathing, meditation, yoga, rhythmic music and dancing help for receiving the blessings of heaven.

Locally the Full Moon has strong effect in the hour following Sunset when the Moon is rising and at local Midnight when the Moon is directly overhead. This Sun in Taurus Full Moon is called Wesak (WE-sock). Mystics say that the Buddha returns now to help regenerate the Earth.

According to metaphysical tradition, the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and left Earthly incarnation under the Full Moon of Taurus. And the Buddha returns at this time each year to bring new light to the world. Spiritual leaders gather in Wesak Valley, a mythic place high in the Himalayas. Here initiates led by the Christ arrange themselves into a great pentagram (the Venusian emblem of world soul) while the Buddha hovers over those gathered radiating light. This cosmic alignment occurs during the eight minutes centered on the moment of the Wesak full moon.

- The Masters and the Path - Geoffrey Hodson

http://www.crystalinks.com/wesak.html



The Legend of Wesak - http://souledout.org/wesak/wesaklegend2.html



**Edited to add the correct Full Moon time/date

[Celebration]

8. ha, how about that

Didn't know it. Sometimes synchronicity is my middle name.

Thanks for educating us (as you always do!!).

That temple is very much an active Buddhist temple. And, even with the aqueduct there, it is no more than a minor tourist attraction (and a fave of mine!) Wonder what it is like there today? It's also Japanese holidays most of this week. Not sure if that is related or not.

[Dover]

10. I love it that you didn't consciously 'know'. What a gift to transport us to this temple today!

Your photos put us in touch not only with this important event, but with that deeply resonant harmonic that is at the core of true beauty and which the Japanese and Eastern cultures manifest in their art so effectively - a divine stillness, love and peace (as Ayesha described).

A beautiful offering. Thank you!

On edit: Oops...not sure why I had the 6th stuck in my mind for the Full Moon. It's actually on
the 8th this year, so I edited my original post. But close enough to begin the celebration.

Full Moon in Scorpio
Friday, May 8, 2009
9:01 PDT
18º 40’