"With the Divine Spirit of Asahi Hanasaki."

 Hello, everyone. Today, I would like to share a story about Nyonin Koya Muro-ji Temple , located in the serene mountains of Muro, Uda City, Nara Prefecture. Since ancient times, Muro-ji has served as a vital site for solar worship. It was established as a "shingo-ji" (shrine-temple) for the nearby Muro Ryuketsu Shrine, which honors the Dragon God, the deity of water. It is a sacred place where nature and prayer have intertwined for millennia. I have visited Muro-ji countless times, not only for prayer but also to study and research the preservation of temples and shrines. One of my most vivid memories from decades ago was my first visit. Unaware of the layout, I found myself wandering up the stone staircase—all 720 steps of it—reaching the "Okunoin" (Inner Sanctuary). There, I met a staff member named Mr. Nakamura, who felt like a living incarnation of Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). Though he has since retired, I believe he provided healing and comfort...