Binzuru

2023 By justmovingaround in JAPAN, Sacred Grounds Tags: Binzuru, Buddhist, Buddhist temple, Japan, Japanese culture, vermilion

While visiting Japanese temples, one may encounter not only grand architectural beauty but also numerous statues representing key figures from Buddhist and Shinto traditions. Among them is Binzuru – a revered Buddhist disciple believed to possess healing powers and deep compassion. His presence in temples invites quiet devotion, ritual gestures, and the hope of physical and spiritual relief.

Binzuru was one of the arhats. Arhats are beings who have attained a state of spiritual liberation through direct understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. They are believed to be entirely free from suffering, desire, and the cycle of rebirth (samsara). Although they are not buddhas, they have reached enlightenment and are characterised by deep wisdom and spiritual purity.

In Buddhism, particularly in China, Japan and Tibet, a tradition developed around the veneration of the Sixteen (or Eighteen) Arhats. According to legend, these were disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha who were entrusted with the task of preserving and protecting the Dharma – that is, the Buddha’s teaching, the cosmic law, and the spiritual path leading to liberation. Dharma is not merely a set of moral rules; it is also the universal truth about the nature of reality, which the practitioner is meant to realise and embody. Statues of the arhats are commonly found in temples. They are portrayed as elderly monks, each with a distinctive facial expression, gesture or attribute, symbolising various aspects of spiritual practice – from contemplation to acts of compassion.

One of the most revered arhats in Japan is Binzuru, known in Sanskrit as Pindola Bharadvaja. According to legend, he was one of the Buddha’s most gifted disciples, endowed with great spiritual powers. However, he used these abilities inappropriately – showing off before others, for instance by levitating. The Buddha rebuked him, and as a form of spiritual obligation, assigned him the task of remaining in the world to help people – most notably through healing.

Binzuru at Kiyomizudera | 清水寺の賓頭盧, 日本 | 清水寺的宾头卢, 日本 | 기요미즈데라의 빈즈루, 일본 | Binzuru en Kiyomizudera, Japón | Binzuru à Kiyomizudera, Japon | Binzuru in Kiyomizudera, Japan

Statue of Binzuru in Tōdai-Ji Temple in Nara (Japan)

In Japan, Binzuru is often depicted as an elderly monk with a kind and gentle expression. He is typically shown sitting in a meditative pose, holding a cane and a beggar’s bowl.

It is believed that he has the power to cure illnesses and alleviate suffering, and many people visit his shrines and temples to pray for healing and good health. One popular practice associated with Binzuru is the rubbing of his statue. It is believed that by rubbing the statue in the spot corresponding to one’s own ailment, one can transfer Binzuru’s healing power to themselves or to a loved one who is ill. His statue is often worn smooth, polished, and draped with cloths as a sign of reverence and gratitude.

In Tōdai-Ji Temple in Nara Binzuru wears an orange robe, which is a traditional color for Buddhist monks in Japan and other Asian countries. The color orange is considered significant in Buddhism, as it represents the color of the robes worn by the Buddha and his followers. It is also said to represent the qualities of wisdom, humility, and detachment from material possessions. The orange robe worn by Binzuru is thus a symbol of his status as a Buddhist monk and his dedication to the practice of the Buddhist teachings. It is also believed to represent his compassion and willingness to help those in need, as Buddhist monks are known for their role in providing spiritual guidance and support to their communities.

More on symbols in Tōdai-Ji Temple in Nara

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The Wawel Cathedral

2023 By justmovingaround in Sacred Grounds, Sightseeing Tags: architecture, cathedral, Catholic, Cracow, Jagiellonians, Poland, Wawel

Last year, while attending a quite intensive conference in Cracow (Poland), in the late afternoon on the eve of the conference, I decided to take my camera and go out into the city. Unluckily one of my cameras broke down before I could enter the Castle Hill. Then, it started raining. The light rain turned into a heavy downpour. Still, I made many photos from under the umbrella. They turned out quite well. Cracow has a large, beautiful Old Town. Many buildings are illuminated at night. Even with a heavy rain, you gest nice shots.

Cracow is one of the oldest and most significant cities in Poland, with a history that dates back over a thousand years. According to legend, it was founded in the 7th century by a mythical prince named Krakus, who defeated a dragon that was terrorizing the local population.

The city grew in importance during the Middle Ages, becoming the capital of Poland in the 11th century and the seat of the Polish monarchy for 500 years. Over the centuries, Cracow was a cultural and intellectual center, home to artists, writers, scholars, and scientists. It was also a center of trade and commerce, with its location on the Vistula River making it an important hub for goods flowing between East and West.

Traditionally, the seat of the Polish Kings was the Wawel Castle located on the Wawel Hill. The castle complex includes the castle itself, the cathedral, and several other historic buildings. The origins of the Wawel Castle date back to the 11th century when a small fortified structure was built on the hill. Over the centuries, the castle has undergone many transformations and renovations. Its current appearance is largely the result of the reconstruction carried out in the Renaissance style in the 16th century.

This time, while being on Wawel Hill, I decided to take more pictures of the Wawel Cathedral, including close-ups of its architecture. The current Cathedral was built in the 14th century, although the site has been used for religious purposes since the 11th century. The cathedral has been the coronation site of Polish monarchs and a mausoleum for many of them and other prominent Poles.

The Wawel Cathedral has been repeatedly reconstructed, with elements of various architectural styles being added to it. Those additions make it very special. The cathedral’s architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles, reflecting the various periods of construction and renovation over the centuries.

So, let us take a look onto the exterior of the Wawel Cathedral. It is however difficult to get the full view onto the cathedral, as it is surrounded by buildings standing quite close to it. The photos below are made from different angles. They are ordered from the view outside the Wawel gates to the view from the internal gate that leeds to the Castle internal yard.

The view onto the Cathedral Clock Tower. Below, the Tadeusz Kościuszko Monument. It was erected in 1820 to commemorate Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish general and hero of the American Revolutionary War

Wawel Cathedral, Cracow | 瓦维尔大教堂，克拉科夫 | Katedra na Wawelu, Kraków | Cathédrale du Wawel, Cracovie | Wawel-Kathedrale, Krakau

The opposite site of the entrance to the Hill. The Clock Tower is on its right.

West facade of the Cathedral

South facade of the Cathedral. In front the Tower of Silver Bells and exterios of royal chapels, inlusing the Sigismund Chapel in Renaissance style with the dome covered in gold

The wiew from the east side of the Cathedral. Behind my back the internal yard of the Royal Castle

Below closeups on the details of the exterior.

Wawel Castle Cathedral, Cracow, Poland | 波兰克拉科夫瓦维尔城堡大教堂 | Cathédrale du Château de Wawel, Cracovie, Pologne

Wawel Cathedral, Cracow | 瓦维尔大教堂，克拉科夫 | Katedra na Wawelu, Kraków | Cathédrale du Wawel, Cracovie | Wawel-Kathedrale, Krakau

The cathedral is also known for its stunning interior, which includes numerous chapels, altars, and works of art. It also houses the Royal Crypt, where the remains of Polish monarchs and other notable figures are interred. The Cathedral can be visited, but the last time I was there a few years ago, taking photos inside was not allowed. The only place where photography was allowed was the Clock Tower, where one of the most important bells in Poland, known as the Sigismund Bell, is located.

Cracow historical city / Kraków stare miasto

The Sigismund Bell

The Sigismund Bell, also known as the Royal Sigismund Bell, was cast in 1520 at the request of King Sigismund I of Poland to commemorate his victory over the Grand Duchy of Moscow in 1514. The bell was cast by Hans Behem and his brother, who were well-known bell founders from Nuremberg, Germany. It is made of bronze and weighs almost 13 tons, making it one of the largest bells in Europe. It is decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Bible and Polish history. The Sigismund Bell was initially installed in the Sigismund Tower, which was built specifically to hold it. Over the centuries, it has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a fire alarm, a call to arms, and a sign of mourning. During World War II, the bell was taken by the Germans as a trophy, but it was returned to Poland in 1946. Today, the Sigismund Bell remains an important symbol of Polish national identity and is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Krakow. The bell rings on special occasions, such as state funerals.

And yet the overall view onto the interior of the Castle Hill made from the other entrance way.

The Wawel Hill inside. On the left side the Wawel Cathedral and on the right the Castle buildings

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Lavra. Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl. On the Must-see List When in Eastern Poland

2022 By justmovingaround in POLAND, Sacred Grounds Tags: fresco, monastery, Orthodox, Podlasie, Poland, Supraśl

Hidden behind a modest exterior, the Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl is one of the most remarkable Orthodox sites in Poland. Its spectacular frescoes, centuries-long history, restored interiors and connection to the cultural heritage of Podlasie make it one of the most fascinating places to visit in eastern Poland.

Monastery of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God in Supraśl | Kloster der Verkündigung der Allerheiligsten Gottesgebärerin in Supraśl | Monastère de l’Annonciation de la Très Sainte Mère de Dieu à Supraśl | Monastyr Zwiastowania Przenajświętszej Bogurodzicy w Supraślu | Monasterio de la Anunciación de la Santísima Madre de Dios en Supraśl | 苏普拉希尔至圣圣母领报修道院 | スプラシルの生神女福音修道院 | 수프라실 성모 희보 수도원

Within the Orthodox and other Eastern Christian traditions, lavra is a type of monastery consisting of a cluster of cells or caves for hermits, with a church and sometimes a refectory at its centre. The Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl is a large complex of buildings, the centre of which is, at first glance, an inconspicuous church building (on the photos left/above).

Although the Monastery is currently a functioning religious centre, it seems that its whole back part around the main church is used for cultural and educational purposes by the local authorities. There is also a small hotel on the premises, an icon museum and a museum of paper and printing. The latter is a small museum equipped with a complete set of old paper production and printing machines. It is located in two halls of the monastery at its back. The old machines are still working. You can see the entire industrial process, from making pulp paper to printing and stapling a book performed and explained by a guide (a post still to come). Some time ago, Supraśl was an industrial area with, among others, its own paper mills and printing activity, developed by the Monastery. Its printing house was established at the end of the 17th century. The Monastery published 350 titles in many languages, including Ruthenian, Polish, and Latin, for over one hundred years of its printing activity.

We drove to the Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl for the first time on Saturday evening. A mass was taking place. There was no possibility of sightseeing its main church. It was to be open for sightseeing from noon on Sunday. When we arrived on Sunday a couple of minutes before noon, I had trouble finding a parking lot. Besides, there were several coaches near the Monastery. At first, I thought we wouldn’t get into the first group of visitors. However, when we approached the Monastery’s gates, it turned out that the group willing to visit it was small. Only after a few hours, when we went to visit the museum of paper making and printing, I realised that these crowds of people were parents with children who took part in a chess tournament at the cultural centre located at the back of the Monastery. I only realised why the group willing to visit the church was that small when reading the history of this Monastery. Its full renovation took place two years ago, and many people simply don’t know how beautiful its interior is.

The interior of the Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl is not the oryginal one because it had to be rebuilt from scratch after the destruction of World War II and some other trouble. The full reconstruction of the church and its historical frescoes took place only from the 80s of the twentieth century. They sped up since 1996 when property rights to the Monastery and its churches were returned to the Orthodox Church. The restored church was consecrated only in 2021. The frescoes were restored with great care, making the interior a real work of art.

The first wooden Church of St. John the Evangelist (today called the winter church) and the second larger Church of the Annunciation were built at the beginning of the 16th century.

The Monastery was rich thanks to donated forests, fields, pastures, and entire villages where flour, beer and other goods were produced. In addition, agriculture, fishing (own fish ponds), and industry developed around the monastery. Over the years, a mill, a brewery, a bakery, a brickyard, a sawmill, a pottery shop, a paper factory, a tile factory, and sheets and cloth workshops were established around the Monastery. The funds at its disposal enabled the Monastery to decorate its churches with rich frescoes. A replica of those we may admire today.

The Monastery also had an impressive library with manuscripts and books donated by the nobles and written or rewritten books in its scriptorium.

However, at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, an attempt was made to subordinate part of the Orthodox Church to the Catholic Church. The rich Monastery was an obvious target. Consequently, in the 17th century, the Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl and its churches were managed by the Catholic Basilians Order of the Greek Rite. The beautiful frescoes that covered the church’s interior in the 16th century were repainted. At that time, the Monastery lost its religious significance but continued its extensive economic activity and grew rich. It was at that time that the monastic printing house developed for good.

After Supraśl found itself under Russian rule in the 19th century, the Monastery was taken over by the Russian Orthodox Church. In mid 19th century, a large part of the Monastery’s buildings and industrial activities fell into the hands of a wealthy factory owner from Łódź, Frederick Wilhelm Zachert. He moved his textile factories from Łódź to Supraśl to avoid Russian customs duties. He bought or leased from the state over 200 buildings belonging to the Monastery. He contributed significantly to the economic development of Supraśl, but he lived in disagreement with the monks. Along with the development of the textile industry, several thousand Catholics and Protestants came to Supraśl, which meant that the Orthodox community lost its importance.

After many years of decline, however, some people fought to restore the Monastery and the religious and social activities carried out in it. The Orthodox monks attempted to restore the old frescoes, but they did not manage it as the war came. During the I World War, they had to flee to Russia. Unfortunately, they took the Holy Icon of Our Lady of Supraśl with them. The icon was finally lost in Russia. The image that can be seen in one of the photos below is hence a copy of it. They also took all the books and other valuables kept in the Monastery. Then followed the times of Polish nationalism full of hatred to all that was Russian including its religion, the outbreak of the Second World War when at its end the Monastery church was razed to the ground and the times of communism until the end of the 1980s.

The tour around the church can only take place with a guide who is one of the local monks. Photography is officially not allowed inside the Church. However, if you make your photos discreetly without disturbing others and the inside quiet, then you can. Anyway, at the very end, when most of the people left, the monk giving us the tour allowed us to take pictures of the empty interior. Later, when we asked him to show us the interior of the winter church, he let us in and allowed us a quick photo session. The winter church (the older but also restored Church of St. John the Evangelist) is located in the left wing of the Monastery building. Masses were held there in winter, as the large church was difficult to warm in frost. Below you can see photos I made during the one hour tour.

Ławra Supraska * Monaster w Supraślu | Supraśl Lavra * Monastery in Supraśl | 苏普拉希尔大修道院 * 苏普拉希尔修道院

Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl

The interior look at the entrance and straightforward on the church inside. Still without looking up and around. It is the first impression as you enter the Monastery of the Annunciation in Supraśl.

Orthodox churches are completely differently equipped than Catholic or Evangelical churches, which we are used to in most Western and Central Europe. Because it was my first visit to an Orthodox church live on the spot, I cannot judge how much its decor goes beyond the standard. Judging by the descriptions on the Internet, however, it seems to be one of the most beautiful objects of this type in Poland. When you enter, you rub your eyes in amazement. All ceilings and walls are painted in all possible colours. There is a lot of gilding, but it does not dominate the colour palette. You don’t know where to start, what to look at, how to take pictures, and which details. To admire and take pictures of all the paintings and details, you must spend a good few hours in this church. However, the visit only lasts an hour.