Rain must fall… and fall… and fall. It favors neither you nor me. My wish for the end of my walk on Shikoku was for a clear, sunny day. That’s it. Naturally, the weather has not been sunny and bright over the last few days. Most days the rain poured. And created a mellow mood. Then, the sun broke through but not for long!
The rain comes down like a blanket. It covers me, the landscape and the road.
We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls. We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything.
– Gautama Buddha
87 Nagao-Ji
Temple Of The Long Hall
The first thing that you notice when entering the temple grounds is its vast, sandy landscape. It has an otherworldly feel. The rain adds a somber gray tone – a mellow mood – to the entire scene. Still, people are walking around the temple buildings and praying.
Apparently, the precinct hosts many festivities.
In a very mellow mood
The sand covered temple grounds absorb the rain. It is a melancholy scene. I feel sad but not discouraged. The feeling is constant now.
Gomado hall.
The main hall.
The rain and smell of burning incense intensifies the mellow mood.
The beauty of the landscaping stands out.
East temple gate.
Images of cows and bulls are rare in Japanese temples and shrines. Cow statues have come to be associated with wisdom and learning.
Tenjingu shrine.
The temple fountain.
Here is a view of the temple grounds and the main hall from the Sanmon gate.
Turn around and see the view out to the street.
It is unusual for a bell to hang from a temple gate!
Ohenro way station
Between temples 87 and 88 is a henro “way station”. The friendly staff offers rest, refreshments, and information for pilgrims continuing to the last temple. Ohenros sign a pilgrim’s register and receive a completion certificate.
A museum is also there. It documents the history of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Did you notice the blue sky?
See you next time.
Baadaye and Mata Ne (ăžăă)
Shirley J âĽď¸
This and several posts this summer chronicle my pilgrimage in Japan where I am walking the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
T87
2 thoughts on “đ¸ Noire Henro-san: Rain That Falls”
Almost at the end. Thank you again for bringing us along on the path.
You are most welcome! I had a few ups and downs but I’m still loving it. I appreciate you “walking” with me. đ¸