The spiritual leader of the Jodoshinshu Buddhist Temple on Riverside Drive, Reverend T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, 43, was interviewed at “The Gates” before a ceremonial walk through Central Park.

Q. Is this your first time visiting “The Gates”?

A. No, I have been here three or four times already because we are one of the sponsors.

What do you think about them?

They change the atmosphere of Central Park. They are a little bit like the Japanese torii gates. These are Shinto gates found in Japan that stand before a shrine. The saffron is also a Buddhist color.

Do you see “The Gates” as spiritual?

In Buddhism a gate represents a change, a transition. Like before you step in the gates you live in a secular world, and when you step through, you enter a sacred space. They also represent teaching in Buddhism. When you pass all the gates, you are learning more about yourself on different levels.

Do you feel they should stay up longer than two weeks?

No, it is okay how it is. Everything is temporary, such as the changes in nature. Normally, in Buddhism everything comes back to nothingness. And this is very much the same. But if they want to keep them there, that is okay, too.

Do you think it was worth $21 million?

That I don’t know. It depends on how you see it. Some people might say that New Yorkers need a more peaceful place in their lives and that makes it worth it. The amount of money depends what you get out of it for the body and mind.

What is the walk supposed to represent?

It is a silent walk to help cultivate peace within yourself, and to help think about peace in the world, in other people, and other societies.