TODAIJI TEMPLE

As I sat on the train, I glanced at the map I’d picked up at the information center, and scanned the places with Japanese names, Daibutsuden Hall, Nigatsudo Hall, Hokkedo Hall, Kaidando Hall, Shosoin Storehouse, Seven Story Pagoda, then got off at Nara station with a smile and high expectations of discovery.

The area now called Nara is where the first capital city of Japan was established in 710 at Heijo. The Buddhist monastery power influenced the government and capital to move to Nagaoka, then Kyoto, but Nara is where many historic treasures remain. It’s the place where Todaiji Temple houses one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in Japan. Being the world’s largest wooden structure in the world, it is a must see when in Nara, Japan. 

Walking into the park visitors encounter deer begging for food, then passing through the Nanaimon Gate see two Guardian Kings on either side. Surrounding the Temple are other structures of interest, and as you approach the large stair steps to the entrance, pass trees on either side with bad luck fortunes tied to the branches. Upon stepping in, you will be draped in smoke from incense giving a clear feeling of being in a special place as you face Daibutsu. Walking around to rear of the temple visitors will notice that at the base of one of the gigantic columns is a hole, the size of the Buddha statue’s nose, and through the center giving those who can squeeze in and out the other side will have enlightenment in the afterlife.

There are many places in Japan, and around the world where history is kept and guarded, so future generations to some degree can experience the way life was in the past. Like shadows, memories float over these places leaving visitors speechless on their sight. In books we read but being there allows a feeling of memories and dreams, and the chance for history to come to life.

The cover picture for my book “AWAKE ASLEEP DREAMING DEAD” was taken inside Todaiji temple. I reckon it’s still the same. Click the link to get a free copy.

Perhaps a figure of speech

Spoken in some non-literal way

Use of a metaphor, who’s to say

Interpolated, confusing word or phrase

Embellishment of a story that’s told

Songs sung from times that are old

Medieval world people have heard

Liturgies, pieces and plays

Turn around, come back, maze

Roots that have grown deep below

For some time, who can tell

Count the years, begin to yell

Unproductive course, dark blind alley

No hope to lose, against the wall

Last chance, a telephone call

After it’s made, part of history

Through a clear lens I see

I have a choice, think wisely

Use the language without regard

This you may come to regret

Into motion the wheels are set

Incongruity, we think it occurs

Asking Santa, while sitting on his knee

I got a rock, the irony

A fisherman tells a tale

Extravagant gross exaggeration

Hyperbole from father to sun

Metaphoric name we supply

Old English, Norse singing

Conventional but special kenning

An expression spoken to refer

Suggest a similarity between

We call the best the cream

We, they, them, the metonymy

Choose a feature to explore

An attribute lost in war

Calm storm, invisible border, oxymoron

Joined together, true words or lie

Contradictory as the migrating herds

Let’s make a person, a beautiful smile

Prosopopoeia, an abstract idea

A wish and hope to be free

Kick the bucket, doornail, daisies

Thirteen steps and then a rope

Legend, language, floating trope

AWAKE ASLEEP DREAMING DEAD

Wet, moist, steamy rainwater

Falling, rolling onto the leaves

I now hold in my hand

On my port and starboard sides

In front and right behind

Glistening drops of radiant beads

Thunderous as they dive to earth

Sliding and rolling down my face

Over my eyes, across my lips

Down and off my fingertips

Falling in time with the beat

Of millions of other raindrops

A sound rumbles through my soul

Hear and feel drum humming waves

Tickling the bottom of my feet

Taste of heaven on my tongue

I feel each drop rise up through me

Now how can this be done

No mind on earth can conceive

Who knows the secret long kept

That drops through the trees

AWAKE ASLEEP DREAMING DEAD