I
vowed that I would visit some of my bucket list places in Japan. I did stop by a few of them. Now it is time to return to Shikoku island and Ryozen-ji temple to complete the pilgrimage circuit. I took a train from Hiroshima to Takamatsu in Kagawa prefecture…
… then a bus and train to Bando Station in Naruto, Tokushima prefecture, Japan. My destination is temple 1, the place where my pilgrimage began.
Takamatsu city from my hotel window, day and night.
Bando Station
The next morning, I boarded a train for Bando Station.
1 Ryozen-ji
Vulture Beak Temple
RyĹzen-ji was one of the three great temples of Awa (now, Tokushima prefecture). It was almost completely destroyed in 1582.
The NiĹ Gate, which fronts the main road, has two stories with a gabled, hipped roof.
Passing through the gate, I see the bronze Kannon statue and the temple fountain.
Visitors pray to the Kannon to wish for luck in relationships, health, work, and for happiness.
The temple grounds are groomed like a really big garden.
At the end of the promenade is the main hall. It was rebuilt in 1908 and restored in 1964.
The belfry and a beautiful two-storied pagoda dominate the temple grounds.
The two-storied pagoda was built between 1394 and 1428. During the suppression of Buddhism, all the buildings were burned down. The pagoda survived.
Completing the circle at Ryozen-ji
Grandfather and grandson.
The young ohenro was being guided by his grandfather. The old ohenro completed the Shikoku pilgrimage many years ago. Today, he explained and demonstrated the rituals that must be performed. Then, from this temple – Ryozen-ji – he launched his grandson on his first walk on the path.
It felt so appropriate that I witnessed this at temple 1, my own starting point eighty-eight temples ago.
On the left side of the Daishi Hall is a small, enclosed area, the Meiji Garden, a pond and a seated Amida Nyorai statue.
Thirteen Buddha Hall.
A dragon is drawn on the central ceiling of the temple gate.
Green line road
A green line painted on any road will always remind me of the one that directs ohenros to and from Ryozen-ji temple.
This sign hangs from a building near the train stop! Kechigan is the end of my journey on Shikoku but not in life!
Waiting at Bando station for the train to Takamatsu!
After Ryozen-ji
I admit that I was ignorant about much of what I saw on my first visit to Ryozen-ji, temple 1. It was the excitement, fear, and anticipation that clouded my vision. My knowledge grew as I made my way on the pilgrimage path. My vision is clearer now.
â˘
Do not believe in anything simply because
youâve heard it
or it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis,
when you find that anything agrees
with reason and
is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all,
then accept it and live up to it.
– Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Shakyamuni
â˘
On to the big island and Koyasan.
See you next time.
Baadaye and Mata ne
Shirley J âĽď¸
This and several posts this summer chronicled my pilgrimage in Japan where I walked the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
Return to T1