Chanting a sutra at the head temple of Pure Land Buddhism of Japan in Kyoto

The strong voice of the priest carries into the air from inside this prayer hall up on the hillside where the temple complex has been for hundreds of years. He punctuates the rhythmic text with a floor bell at first. Then later he uses the hard, clear sound of sticks to accelerate the beat of the text.

This Saturday afternoon in early November is the national holiday called Bunka-no-Hi (Culture Day). In addition to followers of the Pure Land Buddhism from other temples around Japan, there are visitors from other branches of Buddhism in Japan or from overseas, as well as people with no direct connection to Buddhism who wish to walk the grounds and see some of the notable parts of the place.