Acala at Byodoji

The Fudō of Byodoji is a seated statue in the yosegi-zukuri (joined-wood) technique, said to date from the Edo period. Holding a sharp sword in his right hand and a lasso in his left, he shows a wrathful form with bared fangs and tenchigan, "heaven-and-earth eyes," in which one eye looks up and the other looks down.

The Shō Hassenmai-ku is a great rite with Fudō as its principal deity. On the day the rite is completed, 8,000 goma sticks are offered into the flames.

On the 28th of each month, the Fudō goma is performed, and the wisdom-fire is kindled with prayers for protection from misfortune and disaster and for a peaceful, long life.

He is known for his form: flames blazing at his back, a sword in his right hand and a lasso in his left, seated unshaken upon a great rock. His stern, wrathful expression is the great compassion that seeks to save people.

The flames at his back represent the wisdom-fire, which is said to burn away both calamities from without and afflictions within. With the sword Fudō cuts through delusion, and with the lasso he draws in those who have lost their way and leads them to awakening. He is the deity to whom people pray for protection from misfortune and for safety.

The 28th is Fudō's ennichi, his day of special connection. On the night of the 28th of each month, Byodoji performs the Fudō goma before him.

In the goma, the wisdom-fire (chika), which represents the Buddha's wisdom, is kindled, with prayers for protection from misfortune and disaster and for a peaceful, long life. The date and time, the prayers offered, the offering amount, and how to apply are on the goma page.