Goma Fire Ritual - Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Few days before my trip to Japan, in november 2017, I got the authorization for make a photoreportage about the Goma fire ritual at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. I saw many rituals during my journey, but this was the most beautiful.

Special thanks to Priest Suzuki for make it possible.

“Located in Narita, Japan, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is dedicated to Fudomyo-o (the god of fire), who is believed to drive out evil spirits. Fire symbolizes wisdom, while the wood used during the fire ritual symbolizes the many illusions that perplex us. This means that the fire of wisdom burns out the wood of illusions, a concept known as “Goma” (holy fire for invocation). For over 1000 years since its foundation, the monks of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple have continued performing Goma fire ritual every single day.”

http://www.naritasan.or.jp/english/