Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

I visited Rokuharamitsu-ji in Kyoto yesterday with a group of 18 from Hong Kong to see the precious statues of Kuya Shonin at the Reiwakan Museum. The experience was ruined by the unbelievably rude staff member at the reception.

He threw a calculator at us to figure out the admission fee ourselves, showing a terrible attitude from the start. Despite us following all the rules, he berated us with a discriminatory tone, accusing us of blocking other visitors (which we haven't) . I tried explaining in English that we weren’t causing any issues and were paying guests, but he jabbed his finger in my face, yelling 'rude! rude! rude!' When I took out my phone to translate, he got even angrier, shouting 'no cellphone!' and continued his tirade, keep on jabbing his finger in my face, yelling 'rude! rude! rude!' My friend pointed out his attitude was unnecessary, and he screamed at us to 'get out!'—the loudest voice in the entire place.

We felt deeply insulted. We paid to enter, followed every rule, and were humiliated simply for being from Hong Kong. It’s ironic that Kuya Shonin, who dedicated his life to easing people’s suffering without discrimination, has his legacy guarded by someone so hostile. Of the six paramitas, this is undoubtedly the best place to practice enduring...

Last Friday February the 3rd, I went to Rokuharamitsu-ji (六波羅蜜寺) in Kyoto, to observe the annual setsubun ceremony. Although the temple grounds are quite small, I thought this is one of the most entertaining setsubun plays. It starts at 15.00 in the afternoon with mamemaki trowing. Followed by a Buddhist prayer service. After a bit a Oni (鬼 or demon) enters and trows a web across the praying Buddhist priest, he also trows them at the spectators. Finally the chief priest trows mamemaki at the demon to trow him out. Then comes the final mamemaki trowing, while shouting “Demons out! Luck in!" (鬼は外! 福は内 - Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!). Maiko, Samurai woman and prominent figures of Kyoto all joint in...

Not only is it a meaningful shrine for uplifting the heart and mind, here you also find a small museum with most spectacular and moving images… Japanese and world heritage treasures by right. The statue to sink on ones knees for is that of a Saint Kuya, uttering the syllables of the Buddha Amitabha-Mantra, where each syllable turns into a little body of this kind Buddha of the Western Paradise of Sukhavati, who vowed to help all suffering beings. Even remembering this statue still has a great impact on me. Just stunning, how this moment of utmost devotion paired with experienced certainty gained through a life of renunciation, effort and hardships is brought to culmination in this...