Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | 04.15.2013
Prayer sticks burn inside a lit pyre during the Miyajima Fire Walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in Temple on the Island of Miyajima, April 15, 2013. Onlookers could buy wooden prayer sticks prior to the beginning of the ceremony. The prayers would then be gathered into boxes to be thrown into the blaze....
Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | 04.15.2013
Shingon monk throws sticks with written prayers into a burning pyre during the Miyajima Fire Walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in Temple on the Island of Miyajima, April 15, 2013. Onlookers could buy wooden prayer sticks prior to the beginning of the ceremony. The prayers would then be gathered into boxes to be thrown into the blaze....
Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | 04.15.2013
Shingon monks pray around a burning pyre during the Miyajima Fire Walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in Temple on the Island of Miyajima, April 15, 2013. The monks perform the procession to pray for good fortune for all people, crops and to fulfill the worshipers' wishes....
Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | 11.15.2012
Buddhist monks perform part of a ritual for the Hiwatari Shinji, or firewalking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in, a historical Japanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. After the haze clears, the monks then pass out sticks of wood with prayers written by those attending inscribed on them. Handfuls of prayer sticks are thrown into the blaze, releasing the wishes of the pilgrims......
Photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Pryer | Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | 11.15.2012
A brazier rests in a corner of the ritual ground for the Hiwatari Shinji, or fire-walking ceremony, which took place inside the Daisho-in, a historical Japanese temple, on Miyajima Nov. 15, 2012. The Hiwatari Shinji occurs twice a year, once in spring and again in autumn....
