I recently attended one of the three big Daruma Festivals at Myoho-ji Temple, where I bought this small Daruma doll. It comes with vacant eyes.
The dolls are said to depitct the 5th or 6th century CE Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, who was known for his practice of wall-gazing. The legend is that after facing a wall without moving for nine years, his arms and legs fell off. In Japan the Daruma doll is seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck. When receiving the doll, a goal is set and the left eye is filled in. When the goal is met, the other eye is filled in. Seeing the doll reminds me to persevere in order to meet my goal.
My one year goal is a health/fitness type goal. I want to walk 500 minutes a week. I chose a weekly rather than a daily goal so if I walk less than enough on one day, I can make up for it before the week is over. At the 100 yen store, I bought a little notebook with squares printed on the pages to record my progress.
What a cute Daruma. I'm sure your wish will come true. Daruma watches over you every day. The notebook you purchased is for Kanji, but I imagine that you decided to buy it because it had squares and the cover had a Panda.🐼
I like your daruma. And that's a very smart way to create a goal -- I never thought of that!
ReplyDeletePamela: Love the Daruma Doll, such an interesting story, I am sure you will meet your goals and paint the other eye in, such a beautiful tradition.
ReplyDeleteCatherine💙
What a cute Daruma. I'm sure your wish will come true. Daruma watches over you every day.
ReplyDeleteThe notebook you purchased is for Kanji, but I imagine that you decided to buy it because it had squares and the cover had a Panda.🐼
Wishing you all the best in your walking.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great goal! I also like that it is minute and not distance/step based, so a leisurely stroll is just as valuable as running a marathon!
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