2 days ago
Foreign residents in western Japan experience Buddhist practice
Foreign residents in Ehime Prefecture, western Japan, took part in the Buddhist practice of "shabutsu," in which they traced Buddhist images.
The prefectural government organized the event in an effort to encourage foreign residents to settle in the locality through cultural experiences.
The participants visited Iwayaji temple, the 45th of the 88 temples on the famous pilgrimage route in Shikoku, and worshipped its main hall and the Daishido hall.
Before starting the Buddhist practice, participants were advised by the temple's chief priest to draw the lines while taking a deep breath to avoid distractions.
They were asked to choose one out of multiple Buddhist images printed on paper. Placing a piece of washi paper on top of it, they spent about 30 minutes tracing the Buddhist images.
A female college student from Taiwan said the experience made her feel calm although it was difficult to smoothly draw lines. She added that she drew the lines while wishing for good health for members of her family.
A woman from Argentina said it was her first "shabutsu" experience and she found it great.
