Squeezing into the hole at the bottom of the massive ‘healing’ pillar in the Daibutsuden of the Todaiji Temple is said to guarantee your place in Heaven.
I didn’t dare risk being stuck in limbo!
121 thoughts on “The Healing Pillar In Nara”
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π I think I would not be able to resist π Fabulous shots, Madhu π
I loved Nara… π
Ha ha..great to know that there is prior booking for Heaven!!!
Interesting! Now I just need to find a hollow trunk…
Ummm…you might need to call customer service Jade. I don’t think any hollow trunk will wok π
Ah, what shot, Madhu! π I do envy her her slim endless legs though.
ha ha ha π
Ahihihi… and your model looks hot. π
Woman, you have some fantastic legs …. *smile – I wouldn’t risk them if they were mine neither. Great and fun entry – and I’m sure you will come to heaven in any case.
By the looks of it… The guarantee of a place in heaven seems to be only for the slim and flexible (and non claustrophobic) π
Interesting! There are so many similar structures in Indian temples, too, right? Pillars that you should squeeze behind to get a place in heaven, stepping stones that you should cross, etc etc?
I am sure, and I have followed through with several for fun, as long as there was no risk to life or limb…..or dignity π
Just like looking up a chimney! The Bible has a different view of getting to heaven. The New Testament (Christian part) explains how to get to heaven:
NIV Bible – John 3 v 16-17
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Dear Jane, this was posted in jest and depicts a tradition that is more superstition and removed from actual Buddhist belief.
I resist talking about religion on this blog, but since you bring it up, I personally prefer the Buddhist versions of Nirvana – and this is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Japan – where one achieves salvation by one’s own meritorious thought and action, and where Heaven and Hell are as temporary as life, and your behavior and compassion towards others, decides the course of your afterlife. What a wonderful world this would be if everyone worked to better themselves rather than trying to prove that one God is better than the other.
kamah is the key to heaven you are right.
Absolutely Shakil. And I have no doubt all religions promote ‘karma’ in some form or the other. It is the interpretation by humans that is sometimes misleading. Many thanks for stopping by.
There are a hundred thousand ways to heaven, each with eight doors. Ahem, this is one of them.
It seems it is!!! π
Oh Madhu…these made my day. Thank you so much !!!
Delighted they did Jo! Thank YOU π
that was a wicked angle. But hilarious. was that going up or down?
Neither, you just slide across and through the hole to the other side π Happy you enjoyed this Sweety….welcome to my blog.
Funny shots, Madhu. But, the legs do not go to heaven?
He he he, they do too! π
A really fun take on the challenge. I’d have to be pretty desperate for a place in Heaven, to stick my head up there. π
I wasn’t in any tearing hurry to reserve my place either Sylvia π
I need one. Are they for sale? (The pillar that is!) lol
Ha ha, your personal gate to heaven! The transport costs would be prohibitive Ian π
Talking about inside…did she get out of there in one piece?
She did…….just slid out the other end like an eel!! π
He, he – luckily!
No way would I even attempt that. Your “inside” pic is a winner, Madhu.
Aww, thank you Judy π
Good heavens I’d have to make sure no one was around to try that!
Giving up awareness of self might be a prerequisite for Heaven Gilly! Easier said than done π
If I tried that I would get stuck for sure!
This was the first I learnt that Heaven had a girth limitation, like for cabin baggage!! Reason enough to go on a diet π
Surely it can’t be that simple! LOL. Interesting all the same π
I am hoping not Jodi! π
How very bizarre! But looks like fun too π
It was certainly fun to watch Ken π
we can laugh (we who don’t fit!), but some might feel comforted … what a funny tradition!
I saw more tourists trying to squeeze in than locals Christine, so I suspect this might be more of a tourist trap than tradition…fun all the same π
touche!
hehehe
π
Love it, it sure meets every aspect of the inside challenge! It’s a scream π
It was hilarious to watch Shabnam! π Wonder who thought that up!
Hahaah – yes we remember this pillar! All these people lining up to squeeze through… not us! Didn’t want to risk being stuck either!
I might have given it a try a decade or two ago π
What a scream! As a Catholic I have to tell you Madhu, we would never have made it anywhere near heaven in short shorts and sneakers!
Neither would the Buddhists or Hindus Patti! Nor Muslims or Sikhs! But tourists are a law unto themselves, didn’t you know? π
Oh, that’s the way to heaven π
Interesting post Madhu ! Alluring,but it was wise you kept your distance …
Thank you. I was more chicken than wise! And too self conscious π
To get there seems to demand almost complete freedom from self-consciousness – and yogic skill – so I guess if you manage it (after childhood) I can see you’d assuredly achieve peace. Having said that, I’m wondering if, in this new age of self-promotion, lithe adult wrigglers would qualify? π
Umm, they should technically…..but I didn’t see many lithe adult wrigglers around that day π
A-ha ha…. I wonder if this is the official attire for all heaven customers!!! π
He he he, if it is, then heaven must be one cool place π
Cool =)
Thank you π
I get claustrofobic even by looking at these pictures π
Me too Noortje! It is open at the other end, but the thought of getting stuck is too scary. Appreciate your stopping by to comment π
How terribly undignified! π But what’s a little discomfort?
You Jo, would have slid right through with room to spare! π
Madhu, you’ve just caught me stuffing biscuits! π
Intriguing entrance to heaven π
Isn’t it? But I have encountered many that I have been equally wary of…wonder if that is a sign?? π
π it looks like a pattern ………
These really are fun! A bit tricky but….maybe even doable π
Dear Ese, that comment can only mean that you are fashionable skinny π
Or that I am ready to try, no matter what π π π
Then you are braver than I am π
Interesting Madhu. π
Thank you Colline π
Does it guarantee your place in heaven because once in, you can’t get out, and therefore spend the end of your days awkwardly positioned?!
No, that would be the limbo I was worried about inhabiting π But seriously, I too wondered if any delusional soul ever got stuck in there! π
Hmm, I’m not great in very enclosed spaces, so no chance of heaven for me…. Your photo did amuse me. Have a good weekend! π
Thanks Sue. Can’t believe it is almost another weekend already!!
Where does the time go!!
Truly. Have been busy with house guests and have barely glanced at my blog all week.
Ditto busy … as a guest, and things to sort
No heaven for me either, Madhu! Such fun photos π
Not through this gate for sure Marion π Happy to see you here.
Happy to be here! Time should be more stretchable hehehe π
Thank goodness that’s not how it works. I’m a bit claustrophobic myself.
janet
Thank goodness indeed! π
Hilarious!! Great shots for this challenge!
Thanks Katalina. I thought your black feathers were spectacular π
nice … good choice for the challenge, madhu! love the orange chucks!
Yes, she was perfectly co-ordinated Stephen. Still wondering why I didn’t get a shot of her from the other end! π
Hee hee hee!
Great fun, Madhu. Thank you!
You are most welcome Riba π
Gee, I didn’t know it was that easy.
Didn’t seem like it would be too easy for me Ron! π
If laughing is the way to heaven you took me there with these pictures!! Thanks You win the challenge as far as I’m concerned π
Aww, thank you Carol! Happy you enjoyed this gallery π
haha that easy? i thought i had to pass through the eye of a needle or something… i’m relieved. π
Easy??? For you perhaps….I was taking no chances π
brrr not for me! I suffer from claustrophobia… I feel sic only thinking about…
wish you a lovely w.e. :-)claudine
Not too many like us judging by the lines! π
Thanks Claudine…a happy weekend to you too π
I can never reach heaven that way. Am glad that’s not my derriere. Hers is a much leaner sight. π
Me neither Lynne. But I might have been tempted if I were the owner of a derriere quite like that one π
I’m sure your place is guaranteed, but just beware of the secret hidden trapdoor…fall through that and there is Hell to pay!
Ha ha I am glad I kept my distance π