Whenever I visit the island of Shikoku, Japan, I like to walk to some of the 88 temples of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage. This year, my partner and I walked to temples in the Matsuyama area, following in the footsteps of many pilgrims over the centuries. I also followed in my own footsteps as I…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2019
Tag: Shikoku 88
Temples 52 and 53
Explored on foot, helped by two trains. Shikoku 88 temples (52, 53), pilgrims, a castle, a museum designed by Tadao Ando all about a novel, a convenience store, pre-schoolers shouting “hello” and “konichiwa,” houses and gardens, kind people, rice fields ready for harvest, … .
The Heart Sutra with Tooltips
10.5 kilometers to the next temple. In October I’ll be going on my annual trip to Japan. My partner will be joining me, now that his work life is in the rearview mirror. I’m planning to introduce him to many adventures I’ve figured out over the past few years. Doubtless, we’ll also find new adventures.…… Continue reading The Heart Sutra with Tooltips
Ma: The Space Between
Entrance to temple, Kyushu, November 2017. A torii (traditional Japanese gateway), and steps receding into the distance to an unseen temple, exemplify the Japanese concept of ma, the space between. The gate frames space. The steps provide space in time to prepare the mind. As I read around, there are many definitions of ma, but…… Continue reading Ma: The Space Between
Temple Plumbing 2016
The Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage connects 88 temples over 750 miles on Japan’s Shikoku Island. It’s a circuit: temples 1 and 88 are 17 miles apart. It’s a journey: I’ve watched pilgrims making quite perfunctory stops at temples. This speaks to me. I walk to walk, not just to visit a sight like a waterfall or…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2016
Temple Plumbing 2014
Just after you enter the grounds of a Japanese temple, there’s always a fountain for ritualistic rinsing of hands and sometimes the mouth. Here’s examples from the temples I visited April 2, 2014 when I walked the route of part of the Shikoku Henro pilgrimage (“Shikoku 88”). I wrote a similar post in 2013 when I visited…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2014
Temple Plumbing 2013
Just after you enter the grounds of a Japanese temple, there’s always a fountain for rinsing hands and mouth. Here’s examples from the temples I visited when I followed the route of part of the Shikoku Henro (“Shikoku 88”). Temple 37: Iwamotoji March 29, 2013. Temple 38: Kongofukuji March 30, 2013. Temple 39: Enkoji…… Continue reading Temple Plumbing 2013
Temple Bell
Temple 40 of 88. Hey C and D, we are allowed to ring the bell once. Would you share and ring it together?
Shikoku 88: Some Observations
Pilgrim on his way. The Shikoku Henro (“Shikoku 88”) is an 88-temple pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku, Japan. The complete journey is about 750 miles. It is particularly appealing to me the pilgrimage goes in a circle: when you reach temple 88 you are just a few miles from temple 1, but your mind…… Continue reading Shikoku 88: Some Observations
Turtle with a Bell
In the year 911 a turtle with a bell on its back visited this temple (39 of 88). I walked from this temple to Sukomo.