View of the Seto Inland Sea from temple 78. Do you imagine peace?
If I donât let go, then I will suffer. I am learning that just letting go a little gives me a little peace. If I let go a lot, I can have a lot of peace. How do I do that? It requires constant effort, trying and failing, falling down and getting back up – physically and mentally. I realize that achieving a state of peace and freedom from suffering will take a long time.
I truly believe, like Kukai, that anything I imagine in my mind is achievable. It’s happened to me many times. It – whatever it is – may happen right away or further into the future.
Often, I live my life appreciating that I am here, breathing and living another day. My goal is to avoid suffering and to avoid causing suffering. How do I do that? Most everything I do as a human on this earth can potentially be a source of suffering.
This is the way to peace – accepting, giving up, and letting go. Those few words apply to everything we experience on earth. I am on the pilgrimage path walking to 88 temples in a country where I am a stranger – on the way to peace. Kukai walked all over Japan during war and strife seeking a place of peace. The journey, place, and purpose are awe inspiring.
Walk with me.
78 Gosho-Ji
Temple Casting Light Around
GĹshĹ-ji stands out among Shikoku pilgrimage temples as the home to both the Shingon and Jishu schools of Buddhism. It is a sacred site that has been served by many famous high priests and monks.
The schools coexist in peace. Teachings of both Shingon Sanmitsu and Jodo Igyo are still handed down from generation to generation.
A lot of steps leading up to the precinct grounds at temple 78, Gosho-ji.
Main gate.
Bell tower and washing fountain.
Main hall.
Daishi hall.
Close up of Daishi hall. Red lanterns are pretty and always lift my spirit.
Underground town of phantoms
Red bannisters top the entrance to a cave.
“Wanqi Qinyin Cave”.
Ten thousand mini Kannon statues (bodhisattvas of compassion) are enshrined down here.
Visitors come here to pray.
The Koshindo is a hall for the veneration of an image of the six-handed Seimen Kongo (Blue-Faced Vajra-kumÄra), which is believed to have the power to ward off illness and evil.
Awashima
In the early Edo period, an epidemic disease in Sanuki province devastated women after childbirth. When the Iku Shonin visited Goshoji temple, people asked for his help. The great monk built a hall and worshiped there.
Visitors come to the hall and pray to Awashima Daimyomin, patron saint of women, for good health, a happy life, to find a good match, and easy childbirth.
Natural place of peace
It is not hard to find peace in a Japanese garden.
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79 Tenno-ji
Emperorâs Temple
The huge vermillion Miwa torii looms larger with each step toward the temple.
Legend has it that the temple was founded to commemorate the killing of a fish monster.
The way to peace is not always peaceful!
During the mayhem and strife that the country was experiencing, Emperor Sutoku attempted a coup in 1156 against his brother. The ex-emperor was exiled here from Kyoto. Shortly after, he “mysteriously” died.
The Emperor Sutoku mausoleum and shrine (now called the Shirominegu Shrine) are located in front of the temple.
To the left of the torii gate is a gejoishi stone which indicates the entrance to a sacred area. It means all pilgrims, whether riding a horse or car, must continue on foot when entering temple grounds.
Temple fountain.
Close up of fountain.
Sacred horse.
Hondo
It is customary to pray at both the front and the back of the hondo or main hall, the front representing the Diamond Realm teaching and the back representing the Womb Realm teaching. Both teachings are intended to save mankind.
Last look at the emperor’s temple and gejoishi stone.
Here is a bell where a siren would normally be. The sound must be reliably loud for relaying earthquake warnings.
See you next time.
Baadaye and Mata Ne (ăžăă)
Shirley J âĽď¸
This and several posts this summer will chronicle my pilgrimage in Japan where I am walking the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
T78-79