Light and Shadow – Waiting for Enlightenment

Kyoto | Japan | 18 November 2018

The Tō-ji (east temple) is captured by two main streets in central Kyoto. The five storied pagoda shines into the night of busy Kyoto. The Tō-ji is the center of faith for the Shingon Buddhism. The Shingon Buddhism teaches that enlightenment is a real prospect for the believer, which can be accomplished by accurately training and disciplining the body, the speech and the mind. Discipline is omnipresent in Japan. It is fascinating experience to be part of a flawless running “machine”. But it is also scary to see the destructiveness of the rigid self-disciplinary regime.

1/4 s | f/4.7 | ISO-1000