A tanuki statue welcomes travelers to Temple 40.
On entering Ehime prefecture, an ohenro is used to the journey. She is able to see things as they are, which reflects the entry to enlightenment. The fantastic, romanticized delusion of bliss on the trail is gone. A pilgrimage is not easy or fun, but it is gifting us. The possibilities for growth as a human being reveal themselves in a multitude of ways.
My life is one continual giving up of little things which I love in order to find more.
Waking each morning in a different place around all kinds of people taxes and strengthens my mind. Stepping upon the earth, leaving footprints for a buddha-san in training to “carry my essence” to a Pure Land makes my pilgrimage journey in Japan worthwhile.
Ehime Prefecture
| Enlightenment (Bodai dojo) | Temples 40-65 in Ehime prefecture |
40 Kanjizai-ji
Temple of Kannon
Kanjizai-ji is temple No. 40 on Shikoku 88. It is the first temple in Ehime Prefecture, the third dojo.
Kanjizai is the name of Avalokitesvara (Kannon) which is used in the Heart Sutra or Hannya-Shingyo. –Ji means temple.
Colorful tanuki statues are all over Japan and hold a special place in folklore and culture. They are a symbol of financial luck, prosperity, mischief, readiness, strength, confidence, and more. They protect travelers, too.
The creatures appear in the most whimsical ways in unexpected places. The temple tanuki are dressed modestly on temple grounds. Otherwise, their shirts appear to be just short of covering the goods… if you get what I mean!
Nio guardians…
… at the gate.
The hexagonal building on the grounds is a temple dedicated to Benzaiten, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune (Nanyo). She is a deity of treasure and arts.
Benzaiten prevents natural disasters and brings forth rich harvests. Also, people pray to her for good fortune in their studies.
Japanese zodiac
Hattaihutsu-JĹŤnishi-Honzon are the twelve signs of the Japanese zodiac, also called Eto or Junishi.
According to Eto, 2024 is the year of the dragon. It is the fifth animal in the zodiac cycle. Individuals born in 2024 (or a calculated birth year*) will be associated with the traits and characteristics traditionally linked to the dragon in Japanese astrology and culture.
The dragon (tatsu) is strong, passionate, and charismatic. Its uniqueness shines through its self-confidence and pride in getting what it desires.
* Birth years: 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Remember when I mentioned that leap years bring a special blessing for pilgrims in Shikoku? That is my blessing in 2024. Is it a coincidence that my pilgrimage here on Shikoku 88 is at this time and place?
Click on video:
Visitors throw water on the statue for their zodiac sign. Then they pray.
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41 Ryuko-ji
Temple of the Dragon Light
This temple is associated with dragons and rice. Both are celebrated in Japanâs native religion, A ShintĹ shrine is in its precincts.
Since its foundation, RyĹŤkĹji has been a temple of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, and has been worshipped as a temple of Inari.
Temple fountain for washing up and ablutions.
At the top of the stairs is a shrine to the fox deity, Close by is a very old-looking building that was once red, enclosed entirely within another structure.
The old hondo was renamed Inari-sha (Shrine of Inari) due to the abolition of Buddhism by the Meiji government. Eventually, a new hondo was built and Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu was enshrined as the principal image.
Pass it on
While walking around Uwajima city looking for my hostel, I spotted a bicyclist riding toward me. He stopped and offered me a “special” chocolate protein bar as osettai. He explained to me that he finished the pilgrimage earlier and was bicycling to various points of interest on the island. Offering osettai was something he was looking to do. I was the first ohenro he encountered since he began this new quest.
He was overjoyed. It was a heartwarming gesture from the Frenchman. We talked about the pilgrimage. I told him I was looking for the hostel I booked. I felt that it was close. We looked at the nearby buildings and discovered we were in front of the establishment!
Soon, he moved on. And I moved in.
House rules.
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.
T40-41