Seiryō-ji, Buddhist temple in Sagano, Japan
Seiryō-ji is a Buddhist sanctuary in Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, known for its hidden sculptures and ceremonies. Inside the wooden sculpture of Shakyamuni Buddha are five silk organs, which were placed there during construction.
The site stands where the residence of Minamoto no Toru once was, a figure from the ninth century. His life later served as a model for the protagonist in the novel The Tale of Genji.
The flaming torches during the March Omatsuri ceremony show through their burning patterns which harvest the community can expect. Visitors see a ritual that connects farming and belief, and it still takes place every year.
Entry costs between 200 and 400 yen depending on age, with adults paying the higher amount. Most areas can be visited without restrictions, but the main sculpture remains inaccessible.
The central Buddha figure is never shown, it remains permanently sealed according to the hibutsu tradition. Even visitors who enter the temple do not see it.
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