Kyoto 9 - Higashi Hongan-Ji Temple

Higashi Hongan-Ji Temple. 

This is the same Temple as last night, but in the day  it is an imposing sight. As I wandered about taking it all in I inadvertently walked into the temple where the creaking doors were closed behind me. oh no. so I got on the floor sitting on bent knees  if you haven’t done that in awhile, I don’t recommend it. After 15 minutes my legs started falling asleep, so I shifted. The monks started chanting, I don’t know what key or frequency they were creating but it was very peaceful. The only temple I attended service  

You can read about it here, this is the same link as the previous post  

https://kyoto.travel/en/destinations/higashihonganji-temple/

There is a cleansing ritual at every temple. The temple provides a fountain at the entrance and you clean your hands and mouth. Just another reason having a little hand towel is convenient to have. 

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The primary cleansing ritual at Japanese temples and shrines is the chozu or temizu, a purification rite performed at a water basin called the chozuya (or temizuya) before entering. Visitors use a wooden ladle to wash their hands and mouth with water, symbolically cleansing the mind and body before prayers. Other rituals, such as the larger-scale Misogi (often performed in cold water) and the Ôsôji end-of-year cleaning, are also part of Japanese purification traditions. 

Chozu/Temizu ritual

• Purpose: To ritually cleanse your hands and mouth before prayer, rather than for physical cleanliness.
• Location: At a water basin, the chozuya or temizuya, usually found at the entrance to the sacred area.
• The process (using one dipper of water):
  1. Pick up the ladle with your right hand.
  2. Rinse your left hand, pouring a little water over it.
  3. Switch the ladle to your left hand and rinse your right hand.
  4. Rinse your mouth: Hold the ladle in your right hand again, and pour water from the ladle into your cupped left hand. Use this water to rinse your mouth discreetly, spitting it out away from the basin.
  5. Wash your left hand one last time to wash away any lingering impurities from your mouth.
  6. Clean the ladle handle: Tilt the ladle vertically to allow the remaining water to flow down the handle, cleansing it for the next person.