A “vision” I had during the Goma Ritual at a local Buddhist Temple.
“The Goma (護摩) Ritual of consecrated fire is unique to Esoteric Buddhism and is the most recognizable ritual defining Shingon among regular Japanese persons today….The consecrated fire is believed to have a powerful cleansing effect spiritually and psychologically. The central deity invoked in this ritual is usually Acala (Fudō Myōō 不動明王). The ritual is performed for the purpose of destroying negative energies, detrimental thoughts and desires, and for the making of secular requests and blessings.”
“[Fudō Myōō] is one of the Vidyārajas (Myōōs) class of deities, and a very wrathful deity. He is portrayed holding a sword in his right hand and a coiled rope in his left hand. With this sword of wisdom, [Fudō Myōō] cuts through deluded and ignorant minds and with his rope he binds those who are ruled by their violent passions and emotions. He leads them onto the correct path of self control. [Fudō Myōō] is also portrayed surrounded by flames, flames which consume the evil and the defilements of this world. He sits on a flat rock which symbolizes the unsheakeable peace and bliss which he bestows to the minds and bodies of his devotees.”
–Abbot Yūsei Arai
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