Hinduism

Sri Lankan BuddhismTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(30) A brief explanation of what kind of Buddhism is Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka - a few words on the differences with Japanese Buddhism

Sri Lankans have their own context, just as Japanese people have their own context. And the differences in context will always affect the differences in religion and culture.

In this article, I will take a break from my travelogue and talk about the kind of Buddhism in Sri Lanka to begin with. It is very interesting to consider the differences between Sri Lanka and Japan.
Travels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(29) Why I could not be moved by the holy places and Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka - thinking about religion and "life context".

Why did I become so numb in Sri Lanka?"

This was actually directly related to the question, "What is religion for me?

It would fully reveal itself to me later when I visited the "Sree Maha Bodhi Tree," the holiest of the holy places in Anuradhapura.

I will talk about my "religious numbness" through this Bodhi Tree in this article. This is not only my problem. It is an unavoidable problem for human beings.
What I thought about in IndiaIndian thought, culture and history

Yoshiemi Hotta, "What I Thought in India" - India has an "oopsie face"... A masterpiece travelogue of India by one of Japan's leading writers!

This book has not faded at all nearly 70 years after its publication. It is extremely interesting.

Not only are there deep insights into the depths of the human psyche, but there is also a sprinkling of humor that will make you chuckle. This is travel writing at its finest.

This book may invite you to "go to India" as well.
Sri LankaTravels in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land of Buddhism

(24) When it was time to go to the Buddhist country of Sri Lanka, I spent three weeks touring the sacred sites of Buddhism! Days when I felt the difference from Japanese Buddhism

My trip to India, which began at the end of October, has come to a successful conclusion. After visiting Khajuraho, Saanchi, Mumbai, Ajanta, and Ellora, I headed to my next destination, Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is of great significance to me in considering "my own Buddhism". Please look forward to my future articles.
adjantaSecond Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(23) Enjoy the masterpieces of Indian Buddhist painting at the Ajanta Grottoes! Visit amazing Buddhist sites that have been forgotten for a thousand years

Sculpture by Elora. The painting is Ajanta. That's it.

For a taste of the best of Indian Buddhist art, I highly recommend seeing these two together as a set.

Ajanta was also a truly wonderful place. I will never forget the fingertips of that lotus hand bodhisattva. That ultimate point where the fingertips touch each other...! That was a miracle. It was a miracle without a doubt.
Elora.Second Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(22) The Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora is astonishing! What is the amazing sculpture architecture that took 100 years to carve out of the rocky mountain?

Here in Ellora, the difference between the Buddhist and Hindu views of the world and of human beings can be felt as much as this.

The Kailasanatha Temple is truly an explosion of energy. You can feel the energy of Hinduism, the enormous mass of it, all over your body when you come here.

There is no doubt that the Ellora Caves here are among the best in India.
Elora.Second Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(21) The Buddha image at Ellora Cave Temple was so shocking that it electrified my whole body! I highly recommend this as one of the best spots in India!

Buddhist Grottoes of Ellora Cave 10.

The moment I entered the hall, I felt a chirping sound! It really happened! It is often said that an electric current runs through your body, and that is exactly what happened.

I will never forget the impact it had on me. I have encountered many different monuments and works of art, but this is without a doubt the pinnacle of them all.
doobiegartSecond Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(20) Visit to Dhoby Ghat, a huge laundry in Mumbai - The tour of the sacred places of "Slaughterhouse" finally comes to an end.

Dhoby Ghat is known as Mumbai's giant laundry.

I was lost in a certain emotion as I looked at this doobiegart.

We've finally come this far..."

For me, this is more than just a laundry. It is a sacred place, so to speak, as it was the setting for Keisuke Ito's novel "Slaughterhouse Organ".
Elephanta GrottoSecond Expedition to India - Visit to the ruins in south-central India

(18) Impressed by the huge statue of Shiva at Elephanta Grottoes off the coast of Mumbai! It is the white star of Hindu sculpture!

The Elephanta Grottoes are Hindu ruins located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Bay.

The three-faced statue of Shiva here is renowned as one of India's masterpieces. Before heading to Ajanta and Ellora, I would love to see this statue myself. So I took a boat from Mumbai to Elephanta Island.