Worshiping at the first temple
After completing the pilgrimage around the 88 temples, it is custom to worship again at the temple or place where one started the journey and express one’s feelings of gratitude and offer a report that the journey has been safely completed. Most people begin their pilgrimage from Temple 1, Ryozenji in Tokushima Prefecture so after finishing at Temple 88, that person goes to Temple for orei-mairi.
However, because there is no problem to commence the pilgrimage from a place most convenient from home, for example a person starting at Temple 51 would finish at Temple 50, orei-mairi would be done at Temple 51
Collectively, the 88 temples are known as Shikoku HachijĹŤhakkasho (ĺĺ˝ĺ Ťĺĺ ŤçŽć).
Kechigan
“Kechigan” is visiting all 88 temples. For some pilgrims kechigan is not achieved until you return to the temple from which you started.
Others feel that traveling to Mt. Koya and the Okumoin to report to KĹbĹ Daishi ithat you completed the circle is the proper culmination of your pilgrimage.
“Tooshiuchi” is when you walk the entire pilgrimage in one round.
Self-determination has to mean that the leader is your individual gut, and heart, and mind or weâre talking about power, again, and its rather well-known impurities. Who is really going to care whether you live or die and who is going to know the most intimate motivation for your laughter and your tears is the only person to be trusted to speak for you and to decide what you will or will not do.
â June Jordan
Here is the scene:
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.
