The long journey that all begun while Senpai Mike Zarate meditating in Narita - San Temple in Japan. The wisdom that brought all these started here with the Japanese temple warrior spirit that guided him on his journey.

Great Pagoda of Peace

Full height 58m. The Pagoda was erected in prayer for world peace in 1984. World leaders’ messages and prayers for eternal world peace have been placed in the time capsule which lies under the ground beneath this Great Pagoda. In the main sanctuary of the Pagoda, Myooden, are enshrined the image of Fudomyoo and the images of the Four Great Myoos, the great Showa Mandala, and the portraits of the saints of the Shingon Buddhist sect. In the sanctuary, Kongoden, on the fifth floor are enshrined the statues of five Buddhas, Gochinyorai

The history of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple starts with the image of Fudomyoo which has been enshrined in the Temple as a main deity and is said to have been carved and consecrated by Kobodaishi (Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhist sect, 774-835) at the request of Emperor Saga.

The image had originally been enshrined at Takaosan Jingoji Temple in Kyoto, capital of the day. When Tairanomasakado led a revolt against Emperor Suzaku in 939, Priest Kanjo received a secret order from Emperor Suzaku to suppress the revolt. He went to the district bearing the image of Fudomyoo and performed a three week Goma rite for peace. Miraculously, on the final day of the Goma rite, on the 14th of February in 940, the revolt was suppressed completely. Priest Kanjo, thus fulfilling his duty, prepared to return with the image of Fudomyoo to Kyoto, but he found that it had mysteriously grown as heavy as a huge stone and could not be moved. Soon he heard the oracle of Fudomyoo saying, “My wish has not been fulfilled. I wish to stay here forever and relieve innumerable people from suffering.” Deeply impressed by the mercy of Fudomyoo, Emperor Suzaku ordered a temple be erected to enshrine the image on that spot. Then Naritasan Shinshoji Temple was established by Priest Kanjo.

Goma (Sacred Fire Rite) The Goma rite is the most important of the services conducted in Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, a temple of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. It is conducted several times every day and anybody can attend. The Goma rite is a mysterious temple service in which we pray to Fudomyoo, the main deity of Naritasan Temple, for the fulfillment of our wishes. A chief priest burns Gomasticks with various burnt offerings, The fire, a symbol of the wisdom of Fudomyoo, extinguishes our earthly passions, which are symbolized by the sticks, and brings us to a higher state of mind to win the virtues and favors of Fudomyoo. Fudomyoo, one of the popular Buddhist deities, is fierce-looking and wreathed in flames with a sword and a rope in his hands. The sword cuts away hindrances of passion and false knowledge, and the rope is used to draw in beings to Enlightenment. To demons he is terror, but to the faithful he is the remover of anxieties, banisher of evil and savior from oppression. Fudomyoo of Naritasan Temple has been worshiped by numerous people from all over the country for a long time.

Goma Amulet Gomafuda is wooden amulet to receive benefits, which has been placed over a fire and blessed with a spirit of Fudomyoo through a Goma rite. Migawari-omamori (Substitute-amulet) is a small amulet to ward off accidents and evils.

Shotokutaishido Hall

Erected in 1922. Shotokutaishido (6-7c.) was a prince regent who proclaimed Buddhism the official religion of Japan and is called the father of Japanese Buddhism. The Shotokutaishido Hall was established in prayer for world peace out of reverence for the first article of the famous Seventeen-Article Constitution established by Shotokutaishido himself. This stressed the value of unity and harmony.

Three-storied Pagoda

Important Cultural Property (Nationally certified). Erected in 1712. 25m high. The five Buddhas, Gochinyorai, are enshrined in the pagoda. On the wooden outside walls Juorokurakan (Sixteen Buddhist Saints) are carved in relief. The rafters, carved with cloud and water design, are made of single solid blocks.

Shakado Hall

Important Cultural Property (Nationally certified). The former main hall of the Temple, erected in 1858. The image of Shakanyorai Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is now enshrined here. Gohyakurakan (Five Hundred Buddhist Saints) and Nijuoshiko (Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety) are carved in relief on the wooden siding walls and doors around the hall. It is a truly characteristic structure of the Late-Edo period.

Niomon Gate

Important Cultural Property (Nationally certified). Erected in 1830. In this Gate of the Temple four deities are enshrined as guardians of the Temple who ward off all evil. On each side at the front of the Gate are the deities of indignation called Misshaku and Naraen, and in the back of the Gate, the divine-beings called Tamonten and Komokuten.

Naritasan Park

Laid out in 1928. 16.5 hectares. The park is quiet, spacious and full of nature. It changes from season to season: plum blossoms in the early spring, cherry blossoms in the spring, budding green leaves in the early summer and red leaves in the fall. Ponds, waterfalls, fountains, a tea ceremony room and the newly opened Naritasan Calligraphy Museum are tastefully laid out in the park.