The other night, my friend introduced me Inaba Yakushi.
This temple is known for preventing cancers.
Since my family is cancer family, I could have it in my genes.
I decide to go for praying.
This temple is located conveniently nearby the hotel (Kyoto Karasuma Hotel).
At all temples and shrines, first, we need to purify ourselves by washing our hands (gargling mouth is excluded today due to the hygiene reason).
It brought peace in my mind when I saw flowers floating on water.
It’s simple action but memorable.
Then I prayed.
We returned to hotel to check out and proceeded to Kyoto Station with our luggage.
Left our luggage at coin locker (JPY 700) which is located nearby Shinkansen (bullet train) exit: Hachijo Exit.
Then we took JR Abiko Line to Ohtsu Station.
Went to Enjo Ji (Enjo Temple) or commonly known as Mitsui Dera (Mitsui Temple).
There are many places to visit and pray in the premises.
Shaka-Do (Buddha Temple)
The area is so green and large; I enjoyed walking the premises.
I hit the Kane (bell) to bring peace to ancestors.
Kane weights 2 tons.
At Kindo, we could prey to three special Buddhas at the period of 28 April to 20 May 2018.
I’m blessed.
Akai Ya (Holy Water House)
Today, this temple is commonly called Mitsui Dera; based on its Chinese characters, it means Three Wells.
However, it originally meant Holy Well (Mii).
The water from this well is offered to Buddhas.
The dragon was engraved by Hidari Jingoro to calm Biwako (Biwa Lake).
I can see fresh water welling out.
There are many more to visit and pray.
Benkei Sho (Benkei’s Bell)
There is an interesting omikuji (fortune slip).
This is the instruction.
Pick a bell shaped fortune slip from a pot; float on water to read the number that appears on it; go back to the shop to get the numbered slip to get fortune/advise/lessons.
I pulled No. 42; it’s Kichi (good fortune).
Issai Kyozo (Storage for Sutras)
Some Japanese movies are taking here.
I can understand that because the premises are well kept.
I walked through its gate and looked back;
it looks nice.
Even from the path way.
There is a small paths.
There is even a half ruined bridge.
According to the map, I’m still half way.
Bimyoji (Bimyo Temple)
Shuho Kannon (Goddess of Mercy for People)
There are still many more to visit and pray.
Finally reaching to Mitsui Dera Kannon Do (Mitsui Temple’s Goddess of Mercy Temple/the Main Temple).
We need to climb these stairs.
Hondo (the Main Temple)
We could meet the special Buddha today.
The temple has a nice Japanese garden.
There are many more to visit and pray in the area of Hondo.
Noh Butai (Noh Dance Stage)
Hyakutai Kannon Do (the temple for 100 Goddess of Mercy through out Japan)
Shoroh (House for Bell)
Mani Guruma (Prayer Wheel)
If you turn a stone once, it means you recite sutra once.
We can take a break overlooking Biwako (Biwa Lake: Japan’s largest lake)
Finally, the last place: Suikanji (Suikan Temple)
It was a nice day to walk through the temple.
It’s cooler compared to Kyoto because the wind from Biwako lower the temperature.
I took a train back to Kyoto to catch Shinkansen back home (Tokyo).
We had Lundi (Lunch and Dinner) at Japanese Restaurant Kurama, Kyoto Station.
Though I stayed at the hotel in Kyoto, I visited Shiga (Ishiyama City twice and Otsu City once) three times and Hyogo (Akashi City) once.
For next trip, I will plan to visit temples in Kyoto.
sonokotchi 