When traveling, sometimes you visit a place and you feel the sparks everywhere, a special connection the moment you first step there and you think to yourself, even when you haven’t even seen more of a glimpse of it: “I have to come back”.
Todai-ji Temple in Nara is my second favourite place in the world. Words can hardly express my feelings about that place. I wasn’t expecting to be touched that way when I got to its gate. I had been in Japan for about ten days and have visited all kind of beautiful and peaceful temples in Kyoto and Tokyo. I remember being in the hotel, before we went to our daily visit reading about the temple and how it was the biggest wooden building in the world and that it held the statue of the Great Buddah. The pictures in my guide were nice and I quickly learned a little about it’s history. Then we headed to the temple which was not very far from our hotel, waited in a queue to get our tickets while we avoided the wild deers that seemed to think I had yummy food in my backpack. Then we got in, the first gate, then the second, then a glimpse of the main building, and it was all. Tears in my eyes, sparks through my spine, a feeling of pure joy.
As I walked the path to the main building where the Great Buddha is, I became conscious of its grandiosity. I slowed my path so I could savor every detail. My awe became even bigger when I entered the place. I could only thought about my mum and how much she would love such a beautiful and peaceful place. I lighted a candle for her. It was Obon. Was she really telling me to light that candle? Was she whispering in my ear and walking by my side while I was wandering among the gigantic wood columns? I think she was.
Later in the night, we visited again, as the temple was illuminated with candles because of the Obon festivity.
It as even more magical than our morning visit.
And just as I say I can visit Rome just stay five minutes in the Pantheon (my favourite place in the world), I swore I would visit Japan just to be five minutes in Todai-ji.
It was totally by chance that we were in Nara during the main days of Obon, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to be: Todai-Ji and Kagusa-taisha were illuminated with lanterns, as well as all the park. It was magical.
Eazal
February 6, 2021 at 4:50 AM
When traveling, sometimes you visit a place and you feel the sparks everywhere, a special connection the moment you first step there and you think to yourself, even when you haven’t even seen more of a glimpse of it: “I have to come back”.
Todai-ji Temple in Nara is my second favourite place in the world. Words can hardly express my feelings about that place. I wasn’t expecting to be touched that way when I got to its gate. I had been in Japan for about ten days and have visited all kind of beautiful and peaceful temples in Kyoto and Tokyo. I remember being in the hotel, before we went to our daily visit reading about the temple and how it was the biggest wooden building in the world and that it held the statue of the Great Buddah. The pictures in my guide were nice and I quickly learned a little about it’s history. Then we headed to the temple which was not very far from our hotel, waited in a queue to get our tickets while we avoided the wild deers that seemed to think I had yummy food in my backpack. Then we got in, the first gate, then the second, then a glimpse of the main building, and it was all. Tears in my eyes, sparks through my spine, a feeling of pure joy.
As I walked the path to the main building where the Great Buddha is, I became conscious of its grandiosity. I slowed my path so I could savor every detail. My awe became even bigger when I entered the place. I could only thought about my mum and how much she would love such a beautiful and peaceful place. I lighted a candle for her. It was Obon. Was she really telling me to light that candle? Was she whispering in my ear and walking by my side while I was wandering among the gigantic wood columns? I think she was.
Later in the night, we visited again, as the temple was illuminated with candles because of the Obon festivity.
It as even more magical than our morning visit.
And just as I say I can visit Rome just stay five minutes in the Pantheon (my favourite place in the world), I swore I would visit Japan just to be five minutes in Todai-ji.
Love,
February
(Photos taken by me)
Karmen ~ 🍜🏢🎭 ~ 📚☔🦋 ~ 🪂🌱💘 ~ ✨🍊💫 ~
February 6, 2021 at 5:36 AM
It’s beautiful, Eazal!
beffels
February 6, 2021 at 10:29 AM
That’s lovely!
korfan
February 6, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Looks great!
I just saw a short program the other day regarding Obon. It was very interesting to learn many of the details about the festivity.
Eazal
February 6, 2021 at 10:54 AM
It was totally by chance that we were in Nara during the main days of Obon, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to be: Todai-Ji and Kagusa-taisha were illuminated with lanterns, as well as all the park. It was magical.
OldLawyer
February 6, 2021 at 12:47 PM
That temple is incredibly old. When it was built Buddhism was very new to Japan.
OLakes
February 7, 2021 at 2:41 AM
Stunning. What a magical experience!