Wednesday, February 5, 2020
On Monday, February 3rd, Setsubun, a "Star Festival Prayer Meeting/Setsubun Evil-Pursuit" was held at Kotokuji Temple in Hokuryu Town. Kotokuji Temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect in Hokuryu Town is the ninth temple of the 88 sacred sites of Hokkaido.
Signboard
Star Festival Prayer Service/Setsubun Purification Ceremony
Kotokuji Temple, the 9th temple of the 88 sacred places of Hokkaido
Main Hall
A large number of worshippers gathered inside the main hall and performed goma prayer (prayer by lighting a fire) to burn away people's earthly desires and pray for good health, safety in the home, and safety on the roads.
A talk by the head priest, Ryuo Mizuhara
"Everyone is born with a star, and each year brings good and bad fortune. Those who are unlucky can pray, and those who are very lucky can be protected so that their good fortune does not falter. I will perform the goma fire, and my wife will recite the Heart Sutra. Everyone will chant the Heart Sutra together. We will chant it three times," said the chief priest.
Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra of the Mahayana Perfection of Wisdom and Amity
The Bodhisattva who can see freely, the deep-going Prajnaparamita, the many times, the five aggregates, and the sky.
(Kanjizai Bosatsu Gyojin Hannyahara Mittaji Shoken Goun Kaiku)
Every degree of suffering and misfortune, Shariko, Irofuimei Sora, Sora Furuiro, Shiro Sokuze Sora
(The Japanese translation is a translation of a Japanese phrase, but it is not clear whether it is a Japanese phrase or not.)
Emptyness is color, thought, action, knowledge and restoration are Shariko, this is the emptiness of all laws.
(The Japanese government has been promoting the use of force since ancient times.)
Unborn and immortal, impure and impure, non-increasing and non-decreasing, therefore in the air
(Inferno, Inferno, Inferno, Inferno, Space)
Colorless, no thought, conduct, eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind, colorless voice, flavor, touch
(An insecticide industry, an infinitely powerful insecticide, and an insecticide-resistant method)
Eyeless world or unconscious world
(Infinite World War II, Infinite World War II, Infinite World War II)
To death without old age, death without old age, without suffering, without suffering, without knowledge, with no gain.
(Shimuraishi Yakumuraishijin Mutsumetsudou Mutoku)
Because there is no income, Bodhisattvasta is dependent on Prajnaparamita.
(Immusho Tokuko Body Survey Hannyahara Mittako)
No thoughts, no thoughts, no fear, far-flung dreams
(Shinmukeige Mukeigeko Muukufu Onri Issai Tendou Musou)
The Ultimate Nirvana, The Three Buddhas, The Abundance of Paramitas
(Airport operator, Sanzebutsu, Ehannyahara Mittako)
Tokuaratara Sango Sambodhi, the wisdom of the past, Prajnaparamita
(Tokuano Kutara Sanmyaku Sanbodai Kochihannyahara Mitta)
This is a great divine curse, this is a great spell, this is a superior curse, this is an incomparable curse.
(Zen Daijinshu Zedai Myoshu Zemujoshu Zemu Toudoushu)
All power and suffering, truth and emptiness, the myth of Prajnaparamita, many curses
(The highest level of truth is given to children by the 'Kose Han'yahara Mittashu')
Immediate Curse Date Kentai Kentai Hara Kentai Hara Monk Kentai
(Quick response, quick response, rough response, rough response)
Bodhisattvaha Heart Sutra
Blessings (purification of the soul and good health)
"Everyone will enter in order, purify their bodies by applying incense to their hands, and in front of them there is a foot-shaped scroll depicting the Indian Buddha (dating from the 4th century AD). Please place your hands in front of it and then pass through the front.
Before entering the goma altar, Honorary Chief Priest Mizuhara Takanori will perform a blessing on each person's body (purification of the soul and good health).
After that, you will walk past the goma altar, be bathed in the smoke from the rising flames, and pray for good health for the coming year," explained the chief priest.
Incense
Goma Fire Ceremony
The head priest throws goma wood into the flames of the goma altar and prays for good health, safety in the home, safety on the roads, etc.
The wife chanting the mantra
Koji Inoue will be beating the drum to the rhythm of the prayer.
The mantra of Acala
Everyone chants the mantra of Acala together.
"Nomaku Sanmanda Bazaradan Senda Markaroshida Sowataya blah blah blah Kanman"
Treasure name: Namu Daishi Hensho Kongo
"Chanting the Nembutsu is a way to purify one's body, so I would like everyone to chant together with all their might until the very end and pray," said the chief priest.
Bean Throwing
"We will now begin the bean-throwing ceremony. The saying goes, 'Good fortune in, demons out,' but these demons can also exist within our own hearts. We will be throwing beans to drive out bad feelings so that we do not become demons.
The beans are donated by many people, and my mother and wife roast them in the oven to make delicious roasted beans," said the head priest.
The scattered beans are considered "lucky beans" and everyone carefully picks up every single one, with the hope of "picking up good fortune and staying healthy for the year!"
lottery
After the bean-throwing, a fun raffle took place.
wooden tag
The wooden plaque has characters that look like the Seven Lucky Gods written on it.
Lots of raffle prizes prepared!!!
This is it!
Let's all play rock-paper-scissors!
It's rock-paper-scissors time for the remaining grand prize!!!
The final distribution of talismans!
"At this Star Festival, I prayed that everyone will be healthy and keep misfortune away for the year ahead, and that it will be a better year.
I think the best way to live life that will make you happy is to keep in mind that even if you do get injured or sick, you should be humble and be glad that you did not suffer a serious injury or illness.
"I hope this will be a good year in which many blessings come to you all!!!" says the chief priest, praying for everyone's happiness.
On Setsubun, the day when the seasons change, people ward off evil spirits.
May this year bring you good fortune and bring you healthy and happy days...
With love, gratitude and prayers for the wonderful Goma Prayer Ceremony at Kotokuji Temple...
Other photos
・Photos of Kotokuji Temple (84 photos) can be found here >>
Kotokuji Temple
3-1 Nishikawa, Hokuryu-cho, Uryu-gun, Hokkaido
Tel: 0164-34-2055
[Temple principal image] Dainichi Nyorai
[Sacred Site Religious Entity] Shaka Nyorai
[Reference page]9th Temple: Gochisan Kotokuji Temple
◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
