sacred goma fire article

The Sacred Fire Goma Ceremony

The Goma Ritual of consecrated fire is unique to Esoteric Buddhism and is the most recognizable ritual of the esoteric Shingon sect in Japan. The ceremony is performed with the purpose of destroying negative energies and detrimental thoughts and desires. In the ceremony, a priest burns wooden sticks in the scared fire...
Wave Pattern Bowl, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Understanding Zen Through The Arts

The image of the sea and ocean waves can be seen on various forms of Japanese art: ukiyo-e paintings, kimono and other textile patterns, pottery etc. What many do not know however, is that there is a deeper, spiritual meaning that the pattern represents - Zen Buddhism’s concept of Ku or emptiness...