Kyoto and Nara family trip

1. Kiyomizudera ("Pure Water Temple")

Kiyomizudera is the main temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism, said to have been constructed around 780 by Enchin, a buddhist priest, in honour of Kannon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion). The temple has been burnt and rebuilt many times - the last construction occurred in 1633.

To get to the temple, you have to walk up a huge slope (lined with souvenir shops on both sides) until you get to the base of the main gate. Then you walk up stairs and through the Niomon gate - it's pretty tiring exercise!! There's a bunch of different areas you can go to once you're inside. I first went inside "Buddha's womb" (I think it was Buddha..) This consisted of me walking barefoot down some stairs into total darkness. I had to follow the bell railing on the side, walking through the darkness until I reached a lightened rock - this was meant to provide relief from the frightening darkness - and pray while turning the rock. Then I had to follow the rail through more darkness before stepping up stairs to the outside. It was pretty unnerving not being able to see where you were going...

Next was the main hall. The view from there was breath-taking - you could see the mountains and the gardens below. At the main hall you could go inside to pray to the statue of Kannon. I had to take off my shoes to go inside, and I knelt in front of the a big bell and banged it with the stick next to it and prayed (it makes a great sound!) (I'm not sure what the proper objects were ...) When I went outside I lit an insence stick and blew the smoke towards me - this is supposed to provide good luck , and I heard somewhere that if you blow the smoke to your head it will make you smarter.

Then you can take a detoured walk through the gardens before reaching the sacred spring, or go straight there. You should take the walk - you can see the pretty gardens and views and there are also places to stop for refreshments on the way. The spring has 3 streams flowing down. You take the scoops and drink from the water - it's supposed to have healing powers and bring good luck.

I liked Kiyomizudera - what is amazing is that (as with pretty much all of the temples in Japan), the main hall (and other parts of the Temple) at Kiyomizudera are all made without using any nails! The way they joined the wood keeps the structures in palce without needing nails or anything to hold them together! Pretty clever! Oh, and for those in need of some luck in love, there is a temple on the north side where you can pray for love and buy love charms !!

(The parents at Kiyomizudera)
(Refreshments at the spring)

2. Sanjusangendo

After a short rest at our hotel, we walked to Sanjusangendo Temple, which was close by. It dates from 1164 and is the longest wooden structure in the world (about 120m long). The name comes from the 33 (sanjusan) spaces between the building's pillars. There is one big main carving of Kannon, and stretching out on either side are 1000 smaller images. Imagine how long it would have taken to carve all these 1001 images! And they look eerily similar too.. Then in front of the Kannon are 28 statues that are guardian deities which protect Kannon and the Buddhists who believe in Kannon. It was interesting to read where all the deities came from and who they were (mostly came from India).

After 3 days of travelling around we were pretty tired, so we decided to call it a day. Off to Nara on Saturday!