Nishiaraidaishi, northern west austere temple

 This is omikuji, a fortune telling slip. I picked one,,,, and yes, go, Great luck! 大吉。

I had thought it was "Nishi-Arai Taishi", but I learned that it's actually "Nishi-Arai Daishi"

Nishi-Arai Daishi is located in north of Tokyo, Adachi-ku ward.

It takes an hour or less from centre of Tokyo. The neigbour train station is Nishiarai of Tobu Skytree line, or Daishi-mae of Daishi line.

The temple doesn’t have the grandeur or luxuriousness that you often find in touristy temples, but instead, it has a more austere, dignified atmosphere.

So if you like Nara than Kyoto , I am quite sure you will love this temple.

https://www.nishiaraidaishi.or.jp/

My omikuji was Great Luck and it told me to my patience will bring a good news.

Just a few days ago, I came across a similar expression. I was thrilled with the words.

The Omikuji has a Daruma amulet in it.

I put it in my purse.

And yes, the power of "never giving up". - Let me share why Daruma comes to "never give up" in down below.

Daruma :
The Daruma doll is a representation of Bodhidharma (達磨), the monk who is said to have founded the Zen school of Buddhism in Japan. The distinctive shape of the Daruma doll, with no arms or legs, is full of symbolism.

Here's why it has no arms or legs:

1. Symbol of Perseverance: The lack of arms and legs is often linked to the story of Bodhidharma's deep meditation. According to legend, Bodhidharma meditated for nine years in a cave, staring at a wall in order to reach enlightenment. The story goes that in his intense state of meditation, he became so focused that his arms and legs withered away. So, the limbless Daruma represents unwavering determination and the dedication required to achieve one's goals, no matter the hardships.

2. The "Daruma" as a Doll: The form of the Daruma doll itself is also meant to represent the idea of never giving up. The doll is designed to be weighted at the bottom so that it always returns to an upright position when tipped over. This is a symbolic representation of the Zen concept of "Nanakorobi yaoki" (七転び八起き), which means "fall seven times, stand up eight." The absence of limbs makes it more about the resilience and persistence of the spirit.

You can see the Daruma doll in my shop: HERE

-Nat