Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Temple

  It is for washing and purifying one’s hands and mouth with the sacred water before worshipping the Buddha. It is made of stones and the upper part is decorated with the carvings of water birds. The huge rectangular basin was carved out of one monolith. Out from the mouths of two elder turtles and two double-headed old turtles spurts pure and limpid sacred water drawn up from 155 meters underground.
  People wash away their earthly desires by purifying their bodies and minds, and they prepare themselves for worshipping the Buddha.