Back in Osaka after the
most amazing time in Koyasan. If it wasn't such a difficult place to get
in and out of,especially the fact that my JR. Rail Pass doesn't work to
get to and from, I would definite go there every time. It is a holy
place- last night and this morning cemented that for me.
After
the morning prayers at 6:30 where three monks chanted, gently struck
bells and rattled cymbals we had breakfast. Bit more typical in that
there was rice and miso soup- the two staples but still a few
surprises.
Left Shojoshin-in and headed for Daishi Koyakai by
bus to receive Jukai which is performed by a Shingon Buddhist monk and
his assistant The prayer hall is dark, the only lights from a few
candles and the scent of incense permeating every molecule The monk
looms large above and radiates a magnificent presence- a giant shadow
backlit by the candles behind him. At the end he calls your name you sit
before him and he presents you with a certificate that you have
participated. Google it for more information. When you register the lady
asks for your name and country and even more clever was that the monk
who performed the ceremony had sat and talked to me before the show. He
is very interested in carpentry and I told him I was going to Nagoya
Castle because the owner of the Nikko hostel I stayed at two years ago (
and who was also passionate about woodwork) told me to go to get a
close look at the reconstruction and the methods used. I mentioned the
Shikoku Pilgrimage and he has done it twice. Google that one too. I
spoke of my passion for everything Japanese and he likened my travels to
the important sites like Ise, Nikko and Izumo as my own personal
pilgrimage.
His parting homily at the end of the Jukai was
that Koyasan is surrounded by forests of cedars that purify the air so
make sure you take deep breaths and reap the benefits.
Then
on to the Garan - Koyasan's central precinct of temples, including the
tallest building in town the KonpoN Daito pagoda which clocks in at 46
metres. Also there is the Kondo Hall where major religious ceremonies
are held.
Next and last was the Reihokan Museum which houses
many Important and Imperial cultural artefacts. Then the bus to Koyasan
Station the Cable car to Gokurakubashi Station and the train to
Shinimamiya Station. All in all a memorable experience
So I went to Tamade for provisions- rice, pickles and fish for dinner and five bananas for about a dollar- nice ones too.
Ate
and had a bath and now I'm tapping this out on the iPado while charging
the phone the wifi and the camera battery listening to the constant
clack of trains through my open window.
If you look really closely at the blur in the middle- itsa train.
On to Kanazawa in the morning....
Another update tomorrow night.
Lotsalove,
Tim xoxo
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