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◇History of Naritasan Temple
The history of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple starts with the image of Fudomyoo which has been enshrined in the Temple as a main deity and is said to have been carved and consecrated by Kobodaishi (Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhist sect, 774-835) at the request of Emperor Saga.
The image had originally been enshrined at Takaosan Jingoji Temple in Kyoto, capital of the day. When Tairanomasakado led a revolt against Emperor Suzaku in 939, Priest Kanjo received a secret order from Emperor Suzaku to suppress the revolt. He went to the district bearing the image of Fudomyoo and performed a three week Goma rite for peace. Miraculously, on the final day of the Goma rite, on the 14th of February in 940, the revolt was suppressed completely. Priest Kanjo, thus fulfilling his duty, prepared to return with the image of Fudomyoo to Kyoto, but he found that it had mysteriously grown as heavy as a huge stone and could not be moved. Soon he heard the oracle of Fudomyoo saying, “My wish has not been fulfilled. I wish to stay here forever and relieve innumerable people from suffering.” Deeply impressed by the mercy of Fudomyoo, Emperor Suzaku ordered a temple be erected to enshrine the image on that spot. Then Naritasan Shinshoji Temple was established by Priest Kanjo.
◇Goma (Sacred Fire Rite)
The Goma rite is the most important of the services conducted in Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a temple of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. It is conducted several times every day and anybody can attend. The Goma rite is a mysterious temple service in which we pray to Fudomyoo, the main deity of Naritasan Temple, for the fulfillment of our wishes. A chief priest burns Gomasticks with various burnt offerings, The fire, a symbol of the wisdom of Fudomyoo, extinguishes our earthly passions, which are symbolized by the sticks, and brings us to a higher state of mind to win the virtues and favors of Fudomyoo.
Fudomyoo, one of the popular Buddhist deities, is fierce-looking and wreathed in flames with a sword and a rope in his hands. The sword cuts away hindrances of passion and false knowledge, and the rope is used to draw in beings to Enlightenment. To demons he is terror, but to the faithful he is the remover of anxieties, banisher of evil and savior from oppression. Fudomyoo of Naritasan Temple has been worshiped by numerous people from all over the country for a long time.
◇Goma Amulet
Gomafuda is wooden amulet to receive benefits, which has been placed over a fire and blessed with a spirit of Fudomyoo through a Goma rite. Migawari-omamori (Substitute-amulet) is a small amulet to ward off accidents and evils.
Naritasan Shinsyoji Temple
1 Narita,Naritasa-shi,Chiba-ken 286-0023
Tel: 0476-22-2111 Fax: 0476-24-2210
http://www.naritasan.or.jp