Experience Buddhist Sutra Copying and Holy Fire Practice at the Oldest Temple in Miyajima

 【Outline】

Experience ancient Buddhist culture through "shakyo" (sutra copying) and "goma-gyo" (holy fire practice) at Daisho-in which is the oldest temple in Miyajima. The scent of Japanese ink mixed with your sutra copying will help calm you mind. On the flip side, enjoy the exciting experience of practicing holy fire and embrace the blazing fire and the rising smoke! We recommend you
Your mind will be calmed by the veiling scent of Japanese ink and sutras while experiencing sutra copying.  On the other hand, while experiencing the holy fire practice, you will be overwhelmed by looking at blazing fires and smoke rising to the ceiling of the hall.

【Highlights】

• Learn about Japanese Buddhism at Miyajima's oldest temple.
• Experience the Buddhist practice of sutra copying and holy fire practice.
• Relax as you will have a trustworthy with an English-speaking guide to assist you. 
  
  

【Schedule】

1. Experiencing Shakyo (sutra copying)
Set the paper over the sample of heart sutra and take a brush.  Trace the paper with a calm mind.

2. Experiencing Goma-gyo (holy fire practice)
Write your name and a wish on "goma-gi" (holy wooden stick) and go into the hall.
The holy fire stage is equipped in the center, and firewood is being burned in the burner.  While a priest recites mantras, you can throw your goma-gi into the burning fire. 

3. The end of the experience
That is all for today's experience.  We are looking forward to seeing you again.

【Details】

・ Experience sutra copying 
You will experience heart sutra copying (hand-copying.)  The heart sutra expresses the teachings of Buddha into 276 letters. You can set paper onto the sample of a heart sutra and trace the paper over the sample with a brush.  It's not a problem if you don't know kanji! Just trace and you will be fine! Your mind will begin to relax in a natural way as you write with proper posture and take in the scent of the fresh ink. 

・ Experience the holy fire practice
"Goma" (holy fire) is making a sacred fire.  "Soe-gomaki" is a wooden stick on which wishes are written and is burned in the sacred fire as an offering.  A priest recites mantras in front of the burning fire and throws offerings (soe-gomaki) into the fire to pray wholeheartedly.
You will have a chance to learn about Buddhism by looking at the way how the sacred fire blazes and smoke rises to the ceiling of the hall, which expresses that an offering, in this case a holy firewood is purified and will lead to celestial goodwill.　

【Things to note】

• Time：3hours            
• Meeting Point： At the reception of Miyajima Misen Daihonzan Daisho-in　[MAP]
  210 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima-ken 739-0592
• ACCESS：
  ・ If you come by car, you can park in the precincts. (the parking space is limited)
  ・ If you come by train, walk for 6 minutes from Miyajimaguchi Station on JR Sanyo Honsen Line to Miyajimaguchi ferry terminal.
  Please take either ferry below to Miyajima Island.
  　①JR Miyajima Ferry at Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal on the right ahead
  　②Miyajima Matsudai Sightseeing Ferry at Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal on the left ahead
      Approx. a 30-minute walk from Miyajima Ferry Terminal
      A 15-minutes walk from Itsukushima Shrine.
• Minimum number of participants：4 people
• Language support：English
  * An interpreter (English/Japanese) will attend.  A free guide book (in English), "Miyajima Misen Daihonzan Daisho-in" will be provided.
• Included：Experience fee, material fee

【HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES】 

・Wheelchairs are accessible.
・Wheelchairs are accessible for all transportation.
・Strollers are accessible.
・Service animals are allowed.
・Not recommended for travelers with back problems.

【Cancellation policy】