My photographic notes about the four seasons in Kamakura or the gardens of Zen
August 25, 2019
Kamakura Great Buddha: Kotoku-in temple, Hase
As a seasonal event for adorning the end of summer, the colossal bronze statue of Buddha is lit up at night during the final week of August.
Being illuminated by the golden light, the Great Buddha is shining gloriously in the evening darkness, which makes me see the vision of its solemn gilded figure in far distant past. A lot of lamps which symbolize lotus flowers and sacred lights are twinkling gently on the approach to the Buddha.
The sea breeze from the nearby beach is surrounding me. In the calm voice of this warm breeze, I hear the silent prayers whispered by an untold number of past people for salvation.
(Please refer to the link destination, "the Great Buddha and Kotoku-in.")
Kamakura Great Buddha: Kotoku-in temple, Hase
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is the seated image of Amitabha Buddha. In Buddhism, Amitabha or Amida Nyorai is the supreme deity who has infinite light of wisdom and measureless life to save all people from spiritual darkness and suffering in this transient world.
He is present in the Pure Land in the West and descends from there to greet the souls of the dead and lead them to his pure land.
The worshipers of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism have believed that they can certainly cross over into the Western Paradise after death by continuing to chant "Namu-amidabutu" ("I sincerely believe in Amitabha Buddha") wholeheartedly in this harsh earthly world.
Sacred lotus flower: Kencho-ji
According to the Flower Garland Sutra of Buddhism, countless lotus flowers adorn and envelop the pure land where Rushanabutsu (the central deity shining on the whole universe) is sitting. The infinite light of wisdom emitted by this shining one illuminates living things all over the universe to lead them to spiritual enlightenment.
The bright sunlight of the midday sun is making this flower shine radiantly as if a small shining deity inside this flower were emitting the limitless light of wisdom and truth to the world.
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