User:Immanuelle/Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple

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Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple
成田山東京別院深川不動堂
Main Hall
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
Festivals	Goma Fire Ritual
Year consecrated	1703
Location
Municipality	Tokyo
Country	Japan
Shown within Japan
Geographic coordinates	35°40′22.5″N 139°47′54″E
Architecture
Completed	1703

A place for returning old talismans at Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple in Tokyo

Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple (成田山東京別院深川不動堂) is a Buddhist temple in Tokyo. It is famous for its ultra modern temple design and Goma fire rite. It is a branch temple of Narita-san founded in 1703. Fukagawa Fudō dō is part of the Chisan school. A subgroup of Shingon Buddhism. This temple focuses on the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism.

The temple grounds feature structures. The main wooden building, visible from the front was originally built in 1862. Later moved to its location in 1950 after it didn't survive bombing during the Pacific War. It previously served as the hall until a new modern hall was constructed in 2011. The modern hall stands out with Sanskrit inscriptions in black, white and gold. Another building known as the building was finished in 2000. Accommodates various temple activities.

Fukagawa Fudō dō is famous for its Goma fire rite, which involve burning sticks called gomagi. These ceremonies take place times a day. Are integral, to the spiritual practices of the temple. The purpose of these rituals is to summon Fudōmyō ō the deity of justice who wields a sword to ward off forces. Worshippers play drums during the rituals.

There are cermonies every day at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm, and every month at the first, fifteenth, and 28th day, there is an additional ritual held at 7 pm.

The Temple has many things on its grounds. In the hall a prayer gallery showcases 10,000 small crystal gorintō (five ringed towers). Inside the building rests the Onegai Fudōson statue skillfully crafted from 500 year old camphor wood sourced from Kumamoto Prefecture. The inner building features floors to visitors housing a statue of Fudōmyō ō created by sculptor Sawada Sekō, an immersive experience replicating the Shikoku O henro pilgrimage journey and a ceiling painting depicting Dainichi Nyorai by painted by the famous painter Chinami Nakajima.

The temple provides sutra writing training (shakyō) for a fee. This practice involves writing of characters or drawing images of Fudōmyō (shabutsu).

History

Fukugawa Fudo Temple can be found in the Koto ku region of Tokyo. One of its traditions is the Goma fire rites held in the main hall. The temple has a history dating back, to the century when Edo, now Tokyo was thriving. Despite losing its hall during World War II bombings a new hall was brought from Chiba in 1892 and stands as Tokyos oldest wooden building in Koto ward.

Goma Fire Rites

The Goma fire rite is an Esoteric Buddhist ceremony performed to replenish the power of Fudōmyō-ō, enabling the deity to burn away the obstacles blocking your journey to enlightenment. Attendees are encouraged to write down a wish and throw their paper it into the turbulent water at the three dragons shrine fountain before entering the Main Hall for the ritual. During the ceremony, participants remove their shoes, and wooden sticks along with incense are burned in a sacred fire pit. Monks, some playing handheld taiko drums and blowing conch shells, recite Buddhist mantras in unison. The ritual involves people lighting sticks of incense on fire the blessing of personal belongings by holding them over the flames.

The triple-dragon fountain people throw their wishes into

These rituals take place five times a day from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. with sessions on the first, fifteenth and twenty-eighth of each month including an additional ceremony at 7 p.m. for people who work late hours and are unable to make the other ceremonies.. Participants engage in a purifying act by burning cedar sticks in fire offering prayers to Fudōmyō ō, the justice deity. The ceremony lasts about half an hour. Includes drumming, chanting and meditation for peace.

The Goma fire rite is held daily at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm, and every month at the first, fifteenth, and 28th day, there is an additional ritual held at 7 pm. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Visitors can join these rituals by paying an admission fee. Are reminded not to take photographs during the ceremonies or on temple grounds out of respect, for tradition.

Facilities

Treasures

The temple boasts treasures on its grounds, such as a fountain in the shape of three dragons spitting out water instead of fire. Attendees are encouraged to write down a wish and throw their paper it into the turbulent water at the three dragons shrine fountain before entering the Main Hall for the Goma ritual. The temple has a remarkable collection of crystal figures depicting the deity Fudōmyō ō, who is highly revered at the temple. Additionally it serves as a traffic temple where locals come to seek blessings for their vehicles evident, from the forecourt filled with cars awaiting blessings. Visitors also have the chance to purchase charms for travels while driving.

Main Hall

The Temple's New Main Hall Temple was built in 2011. Stands out with its black and gold Sanskrit inscriptions. This building is where the Goma ritual ceremonies and precious artifacts are kept.

On the ground level theres a statue of Fudomyo o crafted by the talented sculptor Sawada Seko along, with a prayer area adorned with 10,000 crystal figures of Fudomyo o and a chamber showcasing intricate wooden deity carvings. Moving up to the floor it's all about the Shikoku O Henro theme representing the revered 88 Shikoku Temple Pilgrimage. This level is illuminated with LED lights and special effects suggesting that offering prayers here holds significance to completing the pilgrimage itself. Finally on the floor there's a mesmerizing ceiling painting depicting Dainichi Buddha created by Nakajima Chinami. All this temple stands as a must visit attraction, for tourists exploring Tokyo.

Gallery

• 
  Approach to Fukagawa Fudo-do
• 
  Fukagawa Fudodo Former Main Hall
• 
  Fukagawa Fudodo Former Main Hall
• 
  Fukagawa Fudodo New Main Hall from the right
• 
  Old Temple with lanterns
• 
  Chozuya
• 
  Statue
• 
  Statue
• 
  Altar Statue
• 
  drums
• 
  Placard
• 
  donor plaque
• 
  Main Hall view inside
• 
  Main Hall view inside
• 
  closeup view from old hall
• 
  view of the street
• 
  Old Main Hall next to new one under construction
• 
  torii from ninjou street
• 
  Fukagawa Ninjou Street
• 
  Main Hall from the left
• 
  Fukagawafudoson
• 
  Inari Shrine
• 
  Shichi-go-san advertisement
• 
  Dragons at Fukagawa-fudo Temple
• 
  former Main Hall
• 
  entrance during Shichi-Go-San
• 
  Amulet return
• 
  Monzen-Nakacho Shrine Secondary Building

See Also

• Ichinomiya
• Oyama Shrine a shrine that also worshipped Acala

References

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• Naritasan
• Temples of Shingon-shū Chisan-ha
• Temples of Fudō Myōō
simple:User:Immanuelle/Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple
• Temples in Koto Ward
• Fukagawa
• Buddhist temples in Japan
• Buddhist temples in Tokyo
• 1703 establishments
• Temples of Acala
• Acala
• 1703 establishments in Japan
• 1703 establishments in Asia
• Draft articles
• Fudō Myōō
simple:User:Immanuelle/Fukagawa Fudō-dō Temple