The first day of the year is considered one of the most important days in many Asian countries. In Japan, people like to visit a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine to offer a prayer on New Year’s Day.
Here in Los Angeles, Koyasan Buddhist Temple in Little Tokyo receives several thousand visitors during three-day-period.
Because of its Esoteric tradition of Buddhism, Koyasan Temple holds Goma fire ritual ceremony on the New Year’s Day.
In 2012, Bishop Taisen Miyata of the Koyasan Temple will officiate the Hatsu-Goma at 10 am on New Year’s Day (Sunday, Jan 1) by chanting mantras and throwing tiny sticks into a fire.
From January 1 to 3, the Koyasan Temple will be open for visitors from 10 am through 5 pm for Hatsu-mode (first offering).
Like temples in Japan, Omikuji (fortune telling slips), Hama-ya (good luck arrows), Oma-mori (amulets), Ema (picture tablets) and consecrated Ofuda (charms) will be available to sell for three days.
Koyasan Buddhist Temple is located at 342 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 624-1267, www.koyasanbetsuin.org.