Aomori Big Buddha

Saturday, August 14: Daibutsu at Seiryu-ji Temple in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture

There are over 20 large Buddha across Japan, each one having its own special feature. The Aomori Daibutsu, built in 1984, sits at 21.35m, and weighs 220 tons. Its insō, or hand positions, symbolizes the state of meditation. Ryuko Oda, a Buddhist priest and founder of Seiryu-ji Temple petitioned for its construction as a reminder of gratitude to those who died during WWII and as a symbol of Buddha’s teaching: the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

We visited Buddha during Obon week, when Japanese honor and pray for their deceased family and loved ones. At many temples and cemeteries during Obon, twilight signifies Buddhist services for the dead, which include lighting ceremonies (Festival of Ten thousand Lights). Though beautiful, I just couldn’t bring myself to visit during that time because I would feel like uninvited guests Harold and Maude at a funeral. Instead our family visited the Daibutsu early Saturday morning and I was able to take some unencumbered-people photos.

Bridge to temple entrance

Pagodas metamorphosed via Korea and China, but originally took the form of a stupa in India. The five stories represent five elements in the Buddhist universe, from the bottom: earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. Following the five stories are nine rings. Thereafter, the topmost chamber is believed to house the Buddha’s remains.

Chōzuya: This small pavilion contains ladles and water. It should be used to wash hands and rinse out mouths before praying in the main hall. If you choose to follow Japanese custom, please make sure you dispose of your used water at the foot of the basin and not back into the clean water basin.

Colorful pinwheels on the right slope (may be purchased to) honor unborn children. A Bodhisattva stands on the slope to protect them.

Japan’s longevity rate means that more people live longer lives. Many older people who start to forget things (like the old man and woman who cling to the feet of the statue) pay tribute to Bokeyoke Kannon in hopes of living a longer, healthy life, dementia-free.

Panoramic view of Buddha grounds

Detail of Buddha's face and crown

Omikuki and ema are two types of lucky charms found at temples. Omikuki, characterized by white mini-scrolls of paper, hold prewritten fortunes.
Conversely, worshipers write hopeful prayers or wishes onto small, wooden tablets with pictures called ema.

View from the left path

Ichigan Kannon: Translated, it means one wish. Give monetary offering and ring bells.

This is the fourth Buddha I have visited. Other I’ve seen include:

1. Stone Buddha carved into mountain side 31.05m (1783 CE), Nihon-ji Temple at Nokogiriyama, Chiba Prefecture
2. Bronze Buddha 13.35m (1252 CE), the Great Buddha at Kamakura, Kanagwa Prefecture
3. Bronze Buddha 14.98m (752 CE), Todai-ji at Nara City, Nara Prefecture

For a list and description of other large Buddha statues in Japan, checkout the website, Japanese Buddha Statuary:

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/big-buddha-japan.shtml

Aomori Big Buddha getting there from Misawa AFB

http://traveling-tengco.blogspot.com/2010/08/aomori-city-maps.html

Follow driving directions numbers 1 - 14 from my Aug 2010 blog: Aomori City Directions and Maps.

Turn left when you see the Buddha sign.