Overview

• The chief priest Rev Seishi Hirose of Shorinzan Daruma-ji presented the Daruma doll to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tokyo during his two-day summit visit.
• Modi is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the 15th India–Japan Annual Summit.
• Modelled on Bodhidharma, an Indian monk revered in Japan, the Daruma represents perseverance, good fortune and leadership resolve.
• Tradition holds that one eye is painted when setting a goal and the second when the goal is achieved, turning the doll into a visible commitment.
• Shorinzan Daruma-ji in Takasaki anchors the practice through its Daruma-ichi festival where devotees obtain new dolls and return old ones.