Nara again
Mike's parents were in town this weekend, so we decided to make the trip to Nara with them. This time we didn't sleep in too late to see the HUGE bronze Buddha at Todaiji temple.
Entrance to Todaiji:
Another difference since the last time we were at Nara in January: the deer have grown antlers. One of them also nipped my stomach. Game over, deer.
Japanese maple next to Todaiji bridge. The very serious man on the right was bowing to everyone and collecting change.
Todaiji temple.
Mike and I at Todaiji.
Incense well at Todaji. You can buy the sticks of incense, and other charms, inside the temple. I've only seen this in Tokyo before, but people wave the incense into their faces and over their backs for good health.
The bronze Buddha.
Long walkway at Todaiji, red columns.
Clouds.
I learned the difference between a bodhisattva and an arahat in Buddhism. Both have achieved enlightenment, but only one (the bodhisattva) elects to become reincarnated as many times as it takes to help everyone become enlightened. I think the arahat just achieves nirvana and that's that. This made me think: what would I do? But this is a moot point, since I'm sure enlightenment is many lives away for Sarah.
Entrance to Todaiji:
Another difference since the last time we were at Nara in January: the deer have grown antlers. One of them also nipped my stomach. Game over, deer.
Japanese maple next to Todaiji bridge. The very serious man on the right was bowing to everyone and collecting change.
Todaiji temple.
Mike and I at Todaiji.
Incense well at Todaji. You can buy the sticks of incense, and other charms, inside the temple. I've only seen this in Tokyo before, but people wave the incense into their faces and over their backs for good health.
The bronze Buddha.
Long walkway at Todaiji, red columns.
Clouds.
I learned the difference between a bodhisattva and an arahat in Buddhism. Both have achieved enlightenment, but only one (the bodhisattva) elects to become reincarnated as many times as it takes to help everyone become enlightened. I think the arahat just achieves nirvana and that's that. This made me think: what would I do? But this is a moot point, since I'm sure enlightenment is many lives away for Sarah.