Seen the biggest Budhha in Japan

Part 11 02/17/2008

It was Sunday late in the morning we left here in our room at Navy Lodge. We head straight to the main gate and then walk going to JR Line Train station. I think it is about 5 minutes, it was not bad at all. We were reluctant to bring our stroller because we never knew if it is okey to bring it on the train. Brian and I felt relieve when we saw Japanese couple that has little one and they bring stroller for their baby. We sit on the seat of the train and most women that has baby and pregnant, they let them sit and so the old folks and disable. It is really cute that there is picture in it specified on what chair they sit which is really cool.

So, we got to Kamakura and then we had a transfer station going to Hase, we rode an Enodine line going to Hase where the Buddha is. When we get off on the train, we walk for about 10 minutes and we were looking food to eat. They have lots of food to eat but most of them has seafood like shrimp, squid and we did not see any plain chicken. The road was so narrow and packed. It is so hard to see dirt here everything is concrete. I just could not imagine that I cannot get any flower bed but instead a potted plants.

As we walk, we finally found a place to eat. They have decent food to choose but then there is no vacant table. I think it is 40 minutes waiting which we don't do it. So, we decided to go inside the temple and go see the big buddha. This is the biggest Buddha in Japan here in Hase, Kamakura. This Buddha was blasted with rains, earthquake but it is still standing up. They build it pretty good. The people before built it so good and it lasted many years.

Before we go inside, we bought a ticket for us to get in. We were told that we are going to wash our hands. There is a flowing water there and you are going to wash your hands before you talk to their Shinto gods. They said, that is the opening or a gate to talk to their gods which is their belief.

I know the kids were getting cold. Benjamin acting like crazy running around and it made us upset because he won't listen. He thinks everything is a game. We just told him not to climb at the rails at the side of the Buddha but he did. The Japanese people were ignoring us but they just praying of what they believe. We went there for a tour anyways but we need to respect their faith as we wanted them to respect of our own faith. They just touch the round thing that has smoke and say something quietly and then put some money at the coin box.

There is also a monk saying something. Of course it is on Nihonggo which we did not understand. Some kids coming to him and give some offering and he put it on his coin box. He is kind of giving the kids a blessings from his gods. I will ask any of the Japanese people if I could meet one what all those means. I am thinking that is the Buddhism rituals. It is pretty interesting. What we do is to respect what they believe.

I have some photos to share here and I hope that you are enjoying browsing.

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