July 8, 2009

• From July 7

  I rode into Hakata Station on business and revisited a temple in the Gion area.  There is a large Buddha in this temple, and behind the Buddha there is a tour of Hell and Heaven.  I had seen this before, but had wanted to go back and take pictures.

  

  Go around to the left of this statue to begin the tour.

  

  Upon demise, one is ferried to the underworld.

  

  This is Emma Dai-O, who is the judge of the underworld.

  

  Here is a punishment for children who died before their parents.  They are force to build little stone towers by the river, but are eventually pitied and released.

  

  In this section of Hell one falls for headlong for two thousand years and encounters further unpleasant circumstances upon reaching the bottom.

  

  Here you get burned up and restored over and over to be burned again for eternity.

  

  I forget what this one was, but it doesn't look pleasant.

  

  This is for gluttons.  The eat, but their throats are sealed shut so nothing reaches their stomachs.

  

  I think this section was for those who never shared what they had with others.

  

  This is a place for those who loved war.  They are condemned to fight forever.

  Now let's go through a pitch black tunnel.  You can only find your way by using a handrail as a guide.

  

  You have arrived in Heaven, and don't forget to make a contribution for your trouble.

  

   Throw a coin or two into the box below.

  End of tour. (????)

  • 05:11
  • 1 Comment