I tried Goma Fire Prayer Ritual
It was a truly fascinating and mystic ritual.
The ceremony takes place five to eight times a day.
Anyone can join when the time comes, but not many people know that. Even many Japanese people don’t. Ten minutes before the start, the doors open, and visitors take off their shoes to enter the main hall.
Dating back to around 950 AD, this sacred and blazing fire is regarded as the wisdom of Buddha. It burns away human illusions, and by burning gomagi (wooden prayer sticks) inscribed with wishes, those prayers are granted.
Several monks appear. The highest-ranking one takes the role of lighting the fire, while the others solemnly chant sutras.
As the fire begins to burn, believers cast in small, slender pieces of wood called gomagi, on which they have written their wishes.
You can also view it as a solemn show of taiko drumming and chanting. That means no charge to enter the main hall and to view it.
Gomagi (wooden prayer sticks) is only 500yen. This will be burned by fire.
There are other activities to join and do. You can receive the blessings of Fudo Myoo by having a Buddhist monk pass your wallet or bag over the sacred fire. You can also purchase a sacred wooden tablet called an Ogomafuda, receive the same blessings, and take it home with you.
Ogomafuda costs 5,000 yen.
