Japanese follows English. 日本語訳を英語の紹介文の後に掲載しています｡
Located an approx. 20-minute walk of JR Izumi-Sunagawa Station, Rinsho-ji Temple boasts a long history dating back to the first half of the 8th century. It was founded by Gyoki, a historically renowned priest who conducted the building of the Great Buddha statue at Todai-ji Temple, Nara, according to the legend of the temple.
On the Coming-of-the-Age Day (public holiday) , the second Monday of January, every year, a “goma” fire ritual, called 柴燈大護摩供 (Saito-ohgomaku), is performed by “yama-bushis”, practitioners of “Shugendo” (Japanese mountain asceticism – shamanism incorporating Shinto and Buddhism) on the top of Atago-yama Mountain, east of the main hall of the temple. In the goma fire ritual, yama-bushis set a fire to burn wood sticks that have been piled up to form a 2-meter-high “goma-dan” alter, in the pray for huge harvest, public peace and safety, and so on.
Pillar of flames and plumes of smoke rise so high into the air, which is very spectacular. After the fire burned out, the embers are flatly placed for the “fire walk ceremony,” in which yama-bushis walk across. Then you can walk barefoot across the still warm charcoals to pray for protection from evil.
Another attraction is the “Mini Shikoku 88-Temple Route,“ running across the low mountains inside the temple premises. This is a shorter version of “the Shikoku 88-Temple Route,” created approx. 200 years ago, in the Edo period. The authentic Shikoku Route is the most famous pilgrimage one in Japan, which is roughly 1,400 kilometers long, and takes about two months to complete the journey on foot. Shorter versions like this were created for those who cannot make such a long journey. The route in Rinsho-ji Temple takes just 2 hours on foot. On the Coming-of-the-Age Day every year, the Sennan City Tourism Association conducts a guided tour to the mini route. After the tour, you can watch the goma-burning ritual and join the “fire walk ceremony” if you like.
For inquiries, mail to : info@welcome-sennan.com
JR和泉砂川駅から徒歩20分、泉南市信達岡中にある林昌寺は、8世紀前半まで遡る事のできる長い歴史を誇ります。奈良の東大寺の大仏造立を指揮した高名な僧侶である行基が創建したと伝わっています｡
毎年成人の日には、本堂の東に位置する愛宕山の山頂で「柴燈大護摩供」（さいとうおおごまく）が遂行されます。修験道の山伏が、柴などを積み上げて火を焚き、五穀豊穣や国家安泰、家内安全などを祈る儀式で、一般の参詣者も見学できます。約2メートルの大護摩壇を用いた護摩焚きは、火柱や煙が高く上がり迫力満点！焚き終わった後は、まだ熱い炭を平らに敷き詰め、その上を素足で歩く「火渡りの儀式」が行われます。山伏たちに続いて、一般の参詣者も歩き、災難厄除けを祈ることができます。
もうひとつの魅力は、山内に整備された四国88ヶ所巡拝道のミニ版です。山内には、四国88ヶ所巡拝道のミニ版が展開しています。四国88箇所は、日本でもっとも有名な巡礼道で、全長約1400キロ、完歩するには約2ヶ月を要します。そういった長旅ができない巡礼者のためにこのようなミニ版の巡拝道が造られました。林昌寺のミニルートは約2時間で回ることができます。約200年前、江戸時代に作られました。
毎年成人の日、柴燈大護摩供が遂行される日には、泉南市観光協会がミニルートを巡るガイドツアーを実施しています。巡拝後、希望者は護摩焚きを見学、火渡り行事を体験できます。
