20Apr08:Impressions about Shikoku 88-Temple Circuit Experience (3)

On that day, we walked on the 18 km road through forests and over mountains. The first haft of the walk finished very fast because at that time everyone was still strong enough. The rest one became a very difficult stage for me. My feet were more and more exhausted while the road seemed more and more flopping. And I thought that I could give up. At that time, we met other pilgrims, they said hello to us and encouraged us. I repeated the words "never give up, never give up, it is a test given by Buddha" in my mind. On the road, the cherry blossoms were falling, I imagined that both Buddha and Samurai were watching us and gave us their smiles. These things made my walk become no more difficult. The temples locate on the tops of mountains. Reaching each temple, I felt that I had meet Buddha and my soul became gentler. Most pilgrims carry a book called Noukyouchou, which is stamped by each temple they visit, I did not carry Noukyouchou, so I stamped on my heart. "Because of the time, money, work, I may not complete entry of the circuit but I sure that I will visit at least one of remain temples" was my thinking after that Event.

By Dao Van Tan

「A Jaunt on the 88 Temple Circuit.」

 Though Kokubun-ji greets us with clouds, the skies begin to sparkle azure above the pine trees as things warm up, eventually suggesting an auspicious start in brilliant weather. The crush of reporters and cameramen at the first temple on our three-temple mini-pilgrimage is a bit overwhelming at first. As explanations end and people disperse to nibble on osettai and make a final stop in the powder room before setting off, I look to the low mountains looming to the north and begin to think about the hike ahead.

The hike is a beautiful one, a delightful trek through cool, peaceful forests, punctuated by the lazy afternoon bustle at Shiramine-ji (loudspeakers blaring garishly amongst the light green of pine candles), the impressive maple stands of Negoroji filtering light onto the soft loam of how many years, and the jovial description of a monk about the ancient defeat of a local cow-headed demon.

The trail linking these three temples offers a welcome retreat from the busyness of the city center just below the feet of the hills. It is a good opportunity to appreciate the beauty of a verdant spring in this southern climate (and a brilliant conflagration colors in fall, my friend tells me) and of course to visit some striking old Japanese temples tucked away in a setting which one imagines must be nothing less than inspirational to the students and pilgrims that have studied there for centuries. Efforts to add the entirety of the route to the official list of World Heritage Sites are certainly understandable, and I hope that they bear fruit some day.

By Benjamin Brouwn

「A great hike and insight into the pilgrim experience.」

Prior to the walk, I knew only that I'd be hiking with a group of people to a few temples in Kagawa. I imagined good company, and hoped for quiet hiking away from the roads and sprawl of Kagawa. What I wasn't expecting was to don the white jackets and straw hats of pilgrims as we did at the start of this walk, or to be greeted us with the quiet gratitude given pilgrims by people we met along the walk that day, some giving us osettai like coffee, tea, and mochi snacks. The scenery also exceeded my expectations. After we walked over the crest of the first hill, the cars and the houses fell away, and we were left to footpath and the wrappings of trees and flowers with their new fresh buds. It was a great hike and insight into the pilgrim experience, and all so conveniently close to home (assessible by train on both ends, no less).

Thank you Kencho, for inviting us along!

By Abbie Kennedy