News Space temple: Daigoji Temple to expand into outer space

Daigoji temple here plans to let worshippers pray for world peace from the heavens through a "space temple" scheduled for launch in 2023. Daigoji temple, a World Cultural Heritage site, and satellite developer Terra Space Inc. (寺スペース株式会社), also based in Kyoto, are jointly planning the project. The first trial "space Buddhist memorial services" were held at the temple on Feb. 8. For the actual journey to space, a Buddha statue of Dainichi Nyorai and Mandala paintings will be enshrined in a satellite measuring 20 centimeters in length, 30 cm in width and 10 cm in depth, according to the plan. Temple monks will pray for peace when the satellite orbits Earth. It will be able to circle the planet every 90 minutes at a height of about 400 to 500 kilometers.

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