In Okuwa village, there are a lot of Sankai-Banrei-To pagodas.
In some regions in the village, in Obon festival, a torch is lit at the Sankai-Banrei-To pagoda to welcome sprits to this world.
In the Buddhist cosmology, there are three realms that encompass the existence of sentient beings from birth to death. These include the realm of desire and attachment, the realm inhabited by beings detached from desire and attachment, and the realm where only the realm of spiritual existence beyond material concerns exists.
“Banrei” refers to all spirits in this world. This memorial pagoda called Sankai-Banrei-To pagoda is erected at the entrance of temples, cemeteries or some special places, since these locations are easily accessible for dedications from many people.
On August 15, dumplings are served to the Sankai-Banrei-To pagoda. Still today, the dumplings are finally taken and cleaned by crows in mountains. In some regions in Japan, crows are though as a messenger of deities. So, the dumplings may be also served to both the spirits in the three realms and the crows in mountains.
Traditional spiritual events have been inherited in Okuwa village.
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