Naritasan-Temple belongs to the Chisan Sect of Shingon Buddhism. The temple is famous for the goma ritual where many votive offerings are dedicated in front of the Fudo-myo-o and special wooden goma sticks are burnt on the altar. No one other than Shingon priests who have been instructed in the secret rituals can perform this rite. The fire of the goma rite symbolizes the wisdom of Fudo-myo-o, and the wooden goma sticks represent the afflictions of human beings. By burning the goma sticks which have been inscribed with the human afflictions in the fire of Fudo-myo-o’s wisdom, the officiating priest prays with the devotees that their afflictions might be removed.
~Writing segment extracted from, ‘Main Temple Naritasan Shinshoji Temple’ brochure.
From the Diary of An Adventurer... 