Manto-e 10,000 lanterns light up in Higashi Otani Mausoleum in Kyoto 大谷祖廟東大谷万灯会

By Phuong on 2016-08-24 08:31:20

The cemetery Ootani Honbyou 大谷本廟 , also called Nishi Otani 西大谷 was established in 1272. This is a great mausoleum handset with temple built on a large area of Higashiyama Gojo. The place belongs to Honganji Temple. The temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. It is said that the mausoleum holds the cremated remains of Shinran (1173-1262), the founder of Jodo Shinshu.

In the Shingon, sect of Zen Buddhism, Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai) received imperial permission to focus on the practice of Manto-e on Mount Koya in 832. By offering a candle, one of the memorial, you can repent of guilt and respond to 4 favors (3 treasures of Buddhism: the nation, parents and all living beings), reciting sutras and dedicate a candle to Buddha. The reward is so big that it litghts up the people, removes the shadows and give them wisdom, wealth and education. Manto-e therefore devotes the light of the candle and recite sutras for the repose of souls and peace in the world in the same spirit that Kukai. Since then, once a year, the tradition of Manto-e is celebrated in honor of the Buddha to celebrate Obon. The mausoleum Ootani Honbyou is no exception, it made a special night opening in August 14 to 16 and celebrated by lighting Manto-e, aubout 10,000 lanterns around the cemetery.

Well, when we went there, torrential rain fell over us, it was the cold shower of summer! But even if it's a cemetery, all these lights make it very beautiful!