| Mass for Bamboos & Incantation against Cancer |
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| This is a Buddhist ceremony performed to show our respect and gratitude to bamboos related closely to our daily life, which have contributed in many ways to the spiritually rich life of the Japanese; for we have a long-standing custom of wrapping rice cakes or rice-dumplings called Chimaki in bamboo barks or leaves utilizing antiseptic effects shown by bamboos. After the Buddhist service in which such bamboos are offered to the Eleven-faced Kannon, the main object of worship of this temple, sacred straw ropes are tied around some bamboos in the precincts, and another ceremony is performed on the altar set up temporarily with the wish that bamboos may grow vigorously. June 23 is said to be the day when you should plant bamboos because they will thrive later on; this day is named "Chikusui-jitsu", literally the Day for Bamboo Drunk. You are invited to a drinking ceremony where you are supposed to drink Sasa-zake, literally Bamboo-Leave Sake, which is known for its efficacy against cancer. |
Transportation
From JR Nara or Kintetsu Nara Station --- 7 min. by bus ---
--- "Daian-ji" bus stop --- 7 min. on foot.