14May2011: Julia Mace
Henro Experience 2011
By Julia Mace
When I signed up for the Henro experience I didn't really know what to expect save for a lot of walking. I know that the point of Henro is to contemplate the life and teachings of Kukai as we visit the 88 Temples that make up the Henro Circuit, but I've never studied Kukai, so I felt a little lost at the beginning.
At first I was only enjoying the beautiful weather, country views and talking with my friends. But the importance of Henro became clearer to me as I watched our guests from Thailand. I could tell that they were taking this experience seriously and I felt a little silly in juxtaposition to them.
It wasn't until we reached out final destination and received a lecture form the assistant to the head monk that I started to understand Henro's true purpose. He said that Henro was about unifying our minds and bodies and walking down our life-paths with our whole hearts. Again, it was interesting to see the reactions of our friends from Thailand. The spiritual significance of the Henro journey that they came here to experience seemed to unify the cultures of Japan and Thailand before my very eyes. The teaching of Buddhism reached across cultural and geographical barriers in a beautiful display of reverence when our Thai guests bowed before the remains of the Buddha in Kanon-ji's treasure house while the other participants took photos and chatted.
It was then that I got that feeling that Henro is about much more than moving from one Temple to the next. Henro is achieved by soberly moving forward, heart and body calm, pure and empty. It can be achieved with any step we take, not just those leading around Shikoku. Because every step we take is a step in life and life is the true journey.
I really enjoyed Henro: friends, fresh air, international exchange and especially the lesson that I took from the experience. I hope that it's one that I will continue to explore.
Eight-eight Temples
Who knows the number of roads
Our minds will travel?
What's that on the road?
Let's go and investigate
Oh crap! Mukade!
Statues with red bibs
Mark the path of O-Henro
One-oh-nine to go.
By Julia Mace
When I signed up for the Henro experience I didn't really know what to expect save for a lot of walking. I know that the point of Henro is to contemplate the life and teachings of Kukai as we visit the 88 Temples that make up the Henro Circuit, but I've never studied Kukai, so I felt a little lost at the beginning.
At first I was only enjoying the beautiful weather, country views and talking with my friends. But the importance of Henro became clearer to me as I watched our guests from Thailand. I could tell that they were taking this experience seriously and I felt a little silly in juxtaposition to them.
It wasn't until we reached out final destination and received a lecture form the assistant to the head monk that I started to understand Henro's true purpose. He said that Henro was about unifying our minds and bodies and walking down our life-paths with our whole hearts. Again, it was interesting to see the reactions of our friends from Thailand. The spiritual significance of the Henro journey that they came here to experience seemed to unify the cultures of Japan and Thailand before my very eyes. The teaching of Buddhism reached across cultural and geographical barriers in a beautiful display of reverence when our Thai guests bowed before the remains of the Buddha in Kanon-ji's treasure house while the other participants took photos and chatted.
It was then that I got that feeling that Henro is about much more than moving from one Temple to the next. Henro is achieved by soberly moving forward, heart and body calm, pure and empty. It can be achieved with any step we take, not just those leading around Shikoku. Because every step we take is a step in life and life is the true journey.
I really enjoyed Henro: friends, fresh air, international exchange and especially the lesson that I took from the experience. I hope that it's one that I will continue to explore.
Eight-eight Temples
Who knows the number of roads
Our minds will travel?
What's that on the road?
Let's go and investigate
Oh crap! Mukade!
Statues with red bibs
Mark the path of O-Henro
One-oh-nine to go.
