That’s one way to shake off the winter blues! Buddhist monks dash through flames barefoot to celebrate the arrival of spring
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | March 4, 2013 17:13Having a spring clean around the house is one way to mark the changing of the seasons, but Japanese Buddhist monks have a more extreme way of cleansing to welcome the arrival of spring.
As part of the Hiwatari-matsuri ceremony, Buddhist monks dash barefoot through flames to purify their bodies and minds of bad luck and misfortune, and to pray for safety in the seasons to come.
The ritual takes place each year at the beginning of March, and sees thousands participate in the fiery challenge to mark the end of winter.
Goma fires are lit by Shingon Buddhist monks dressed in traditional garb, who spark flints symbolically to ignite a sacred pyre and strike impurities from the vicinity. A sword is used to signify cutting the ties of wickedness from the area.
The monks, known as Shugenja, fire arrows to create a barrier against evil spirits while others whip themselves with a branch of bamboo soaked in boiling water.
The monks carry special amulets through the coals, and when the fire has died down members of the public are allowed to participate in the ritual by walking over the embers, regardless of their beliefs.
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