Mom and Dad took me to temple near our house called Katsuoji, the “Winning Daruma Doll Temple“. This temple was built almost 1,300 years ago, though I think it has been fixed up quite a bit since then because it doesn’t look that old. They like dogs there because even though they charge for parking and they charge for humans, dogs get in for free! It is a big temple that covers a large space with a waterfall, a “misty” bridge, and many beautiful views.
Humans use Daruma as a “prayer for victory”. When someone gets a daruma, there aren’t any eyes. As you state your goal, you are supposed to paint in the left eye and when you achieve your goal, you can add the right eye. There were thousands of small Daruma dolls on the ground, up in trees, under bushes, and everywhere else I smelled. Because these Daruma were everywhere around the temple grounds, I had to be careful not to pee on one lest I incur the wrath of that temple’s god or that of one of the faithful who had bought one. Also, I am a nice dog, and do not want to pee on anyone’s desire.
ダルマで有名なお寺に行ってきた。人間は「勝利祈願」にダルマを使うんだって。小さなダルマもあちこちにあった。たくさんの人がダルマを大事そうにしてるから、僕も気を使って、ダルマにはおしっこかけなかったよ！！
