The virtues of Prince Shotoku...

 

予定していたよりも、住吉大社への到着が遅くなってしまった。時刻はすでに１６時を回っていた。神社に参拝するには遅すぎる。今日は「初辰参り」の日だったが、天王寺を出るのが遅すぎた。それは、致し方のないことだったのだが・・・。

新年の挨拶もやっとこの日に果たすことができた。本殿の四つの社を順にお参りをする。第三本宮を通り過ぎようとすると、社殿を照らす点灯された明かりの方角に妙に惹かれた。

”何だろう？”

そんな感じで眺めていた。折角なので、いくつか写真を撮ることにした。

I arrived at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine later than I initially planned. It was already passed 16:00 which wasn't the ideal timing to visit shrines. It was the day of "Hattatsu Mairi" today, but I left Tennoji too late to make it in time. I couldn't be helped...

Anyway, I finally made my first visit of this New Year at Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. I visited 4 main alters one by one to greet for each God enshrined. When I about to pass the 3rd Main alter, my attention was drawn to the lights lit for the alters. 

"What was it?"

I was just staring at the direction. Since I might have noticed something, I decided to take a few shots. 

すると一人の若い男性が第四本宮の前で、静かに手を合わせ祈りを捧げ始めた。ふと彼の真摯の祈りの姿に力強いものを感じだ。短い祈りだったが、純粋さを放つ祈りだったと思う。合わせる掌から祈りの力がひしひしと伝わってくるようだ。

あわててシャッターを切った。しかし、露出調整が間に合わなかったので、撮れた一枚はかなり暗くなってしまった。部屋に戻り、ここまで補正をかけて彼の姿を再現できた。

美しい姿だ・・・。

Then one guy came up to the 4th Main alter, and started making a prayer quietly putting his hands together. I felt something very strong vibration from his innocent prayer. It was short, but with a power of innocence, I believe. It was as if his hands putting together were emitting the energy of prayer. 

I immediately tried to take a few photos of the moment, but failed to adjust the level of exposure. So it was so dark that I barely could see the guy's figure. However, I managed to adjust it later at home, his figure came back in the photo frame. 

"A beautiful posture. 

今日の初辰参りに間に合わなかった理由は、四天王寺に「どやどや」祭りを観に行っていたからだ。今日がその日だという事を思い出し、急遽予定を変更した。まだ一度も生で観た事なく、観ておきたかった。

早い人で3時間以上前から観覧場所の場所取りをしていた。自分もほぼ2時間まった。しかし、中には場所取りでずるをする人たちもいる。私もある家族の老年女性と口論になりかける。娘は他の男性ともめていた。家族そろって自分達の事しか考えない類だった。

ここは境内の中だという事を彼らはお構いなしだ。いずれにしろ、彼らの行為は見られているはずだ。自分は、心を正しなおし、良い写真が撮れるように集中しようと努めた。自分の心が乱れれば、その瞬間を捕らえる感覚が鈍ってしまうからだ・・・。

”和をもって貴しとなす”　－　聖徳太子

聖徳太子の創建とされる伝統のある四天王寺で、こういう事柄に出くわすことで良い学び、気づきを頂けたことに感謝をしたい。

合掌・・・。

正美

Why I couldn't make it in time for "Hattatsu Mairi" (Visiting 4 auxiliary shrines on the first Dragon (One of 12 zodiac animals) day of each month to get a good luck in family and business)  was because I was visiting "Shitennoji Temple" to see "Doya Doya" festival. Since I suddenly remembered that it is the day of the festival today, I changed my plan, and wanted to see the festival once. 

Some people arrived the site more than 3 hours earlier to get a good view point, and I arrived there about 2 hours earlier. However it is common that there are a few or less who are trying to cheat it. I was about to argue with an old lady from one family.  Her daughter was arguing with a man on the other hand. They were a kind thinking only about themselves.

They don't seem to care where they were, where they were actually in a temple. Anyway, what they do is what they deserve to receive. For myself, I tried to focus on my feeling to calm down for my photos. Otherwise, I loose my own sense to catch a good moment. 

”Wa wo motte toutoshi to nasu" -Prince Shotoku

(The harmony is the greatest of virtues) 

At "Shitennoji Temple" which an ancient wise man "Prince Shotoku" allegedly founded, by getting involved in this incident, I got an opportunity to get a lesson. 

Gassho (Prayer)...

Masami