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Posts from the ‘88 temples’ Category

May 3 11

I Bowed at the Gate

by Tom

Day 45 – 13:20 – Temple 1 Another morning race against the rain clouds and my luck held out for one more final time. I felt old, wise and weatherbeaten greeting all of the fresh-faced walkers heading out from temple 1. I thought back to that day when I started and it seems like such [...]

May 2 11

Number 2144

by Tom

Day 44 – 11:05 – Temple 88 On the way up to 88 is a henro centre where they give you a cup of tea, some sweets and a certificate commemorating your completion of the pilgrimage. I am the 2144th person to finish walking the 88 temples this year. The climb up to the top [...]

May 1 11

The Last Samurai

by Tom

Day 43 – 15:35 – Temple 87 The essence of zen is an acceptance of the transience of existence. The impermanence of everything, the fact that everything comes to an end, including a 1,200 km pilgrimage. That each moment exists in isolation from the past and distinct from the future. Nowhere can this feeling have [...]

May 1 11

Energy. Happiness.

by Tom

Day 43 – 13:45 – Temple 86 I broke the first golden rule of the walking henro today: start early, walk hard, get a good few miles under your belt then enjoy an easier afternoon. I started late, got lost and then met all sorts of interesting people along the way, leaving a tough afternoon. [...]

May 1 11

The Second Home

by Tom

Day 43 – 12:20 – Temple 85 You think you’re almost there and then you see the cable car waiting to take people to the top … and then, half way up the hill, there are people beckoning and inviting you to sit down, relax and have a cup of tea. I had a long [...]

May 1 11

The X-ray Technician

by Tom

Day 43 – 10:00 – Temple 84 It rained overnight and then cleared up by morning so we have another hot, steamy day. Lucky again! This friendly chap showed me the way back to the path with his one year old daughter Mai-chan. In exchange, I helped him with some useful phrases in English for [...]

Apr 30 11

Twists and Turns

by Tom

Day 42 – 14:40 – Temple 83 This afternoon’s trail twisted and turned all over the place but no mistakes. The little red man was back and he showed me the way. My feet ache but no rain so another sunny day. Tonight’s plan: a small dinner and a big sleep. I feel tired. Postscript: [...]

Apr 30 11

Leaving a Trail

by Tom

Day 42 – 10:50 – Temple 82 After a tube of cheese Chipstars and a bar of Ghana milk chocolate, the sun is still shining and I’m feeling more philosophical about things. I like Temple 82, the colors of the Japanese maple leaves are beautiful. The kind chap below is Enomoto-san. He stayed in the [...]

Apr 30 11

Somewhere Else

by Tom

Day 42 – 08:50 – Temple 81 “How often I found where I should be going only by setting out for somewhere else.” Buckminster Fuller Serious navigation error this morning – cost me an extra two or three kilometers of charging up and down mountain trails. Had started out at 06:30 at pace with a [...]

Apr 29 11

Meeting Destiny

by Tom

Day 41 – 15:20 – Temple 80 “A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” Jean de la Fontaine Today’s cast of characters included: – the young honeymooners who I must say were looking happy contrary perhaps to the expectations of my older, married walking companions; – a goat, [...]