Saito Goma (Saito Goma) - Saito Goma

Japanese: 柴灯護摩(採灯護摩) - さいとうごま

A goma ritual unique to Shugendo. Goma sticks and straw are piled up outdoors, and Buddha and Bodhisattvas are invited to the pile and ignited. The fire is used to burn away the Shugendo's earthly desires, and prayers are offered for peace and prosperity in the country, safety of the home, and bountiful harvests. It is sometimes performed as part of the Shugendo's own training, and sometimes during annual temple events or in response to prayers from believers. Goma sticks represent human earthly desires, and it is said that the reason they are piled up in a crisscross pattern is because the filth of human sins is as deep as a well.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

修験道独自の護摩儀礼。野外に護摩木や藁（わら）などを積み上げ，そこへ仏菩薩を招き点火する。その火により修験者の煩悩を焼き尽くすとともに，天下国家安穏，家内安全，五穀豊穣などを祈願する。修験者自身の修行として行う場合もあれば，寺院の年中行事のとき，あるいは信徒の諸祈願にこたえる場合にも執行される。護摩木は人間の煩悩をあらわし，その護摩木を井桁に積み上げるのは，人間の罪垢が井戸のように深いからであると説明される。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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