🌸 Noire Henro-san: Mairi Path

Stairs to Iyadani-ji Temple in Kagawa Prefecture

Legend of Mairi on Shikoku

The Mairi path, the section from Temples 71 to 78 in the Nirvana stage of Shikoku pilgrimage has a strong meaning. Traditionally, it is known as the walk of grief.

According to ancient belief, the dead hang around the mountain at Iyadani-ji temple, longing to be home. I imagine these souls grieve, too, for their loved ones. It is a touching thought that provides comfort to the dead and their mourners.

The dead on the Mairi path are allowed to wander on a certain day in spring and another in autumn. On their return to Iyadani-ji (Temple 71), their mourners walk with them from Doryu-ji (Temple 77). They get to eat together and say goodbye at the approach to the mountain.

For many pilgrims who lost someone they loved – still love – walking on a pilgrimage path helps them grieve in their own way.

• T71 – Iyadani-ji 👣
• T72 – Mandara-ji 👣
• T73 – Shusshaka-ji 👣
• T74 – Koyama-ji 👣
• T75 – Zentsu-ji 👣
• T76 – Zonzo -ji 👣
• T77 – Doryu-ji 👣
• T78 – Gosho-ji 👣

The 7 temple pilgrimage promises cures for the disabled, evidenced by many crutches left behind.

This path has its own special stamp book. I was satisfied with the temple stamps or goshuin I received in my own book.

Be happy

I wrote this years ago. There is not a day that I do not recall it, especially when things get rough:

This decade I lost two of the dearest people in my life. It hurts my heart every day. I’m living up to the dreams they had for me. Importantly, I’m living up to my own.

I am working steadily to always be the grateful woman they loved. I’ll never squander the life, love, wisdom, and genetic gifts they left me. Farewell but not forever. 💔

It is believed that people who walk the Mairi path will be happy.

I am…… close.

Baadaye and Mata Ne (またね)

Shirley J ♥️

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.