![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
earth_colorsHere are some notes for the drama SP, Aruku Aruku Aruku:
Shikoku Henro. Or the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a pilgrimage consisting of 88 sacred places or Buddhist temples in Shikoku Island. It is a 1200 km loop around the island and can take a month or two to finish. Pilgrims traditionally walk this route but many resort to riding vehicles (bus, taxis, cars, bicycles). It is said that Kukai (Kobo Daishi) had visited all temples and that after he passed away, monks of Shingon sect followed in the revered Buddhist monk's footsteps, thus creating the Shikoku Henro.
(info: wiki, heyworld) (pic: shirominaji)
Kōbō Daishi (774–835). Also known as Kūkai or the Japanese monk/scholar and civil servant who propagated esoteric Buddhist teachings in Japan. He was born in Shikoku, and is said "to have established or visited many of its temples and to have carved many of the images" in the island. During his/her spiritual journey, a pilgrim wears a sign that says "Dōgyō Ninin" (Two Pilgrims Practicing Together) meaning that he can ask Kōbō Daishi to "walk with him and to completely turn yourself over to his care ("I entrust myself fully to the great teacher Kōbō Daishi" is a mantra that is often said and can be seen everywhere on this journey). And if asked, he (Daishi) long ago vowed to walk with anyone who requests it." In return, it is said that he will grant the pilgrim's wish at the completion of the journey.
(info: wiki, shikokuhenrotrail)
Henro or Pilgrim. A henro undertakes the pilgrimage due to spiritual or tourism-related purposes. He/she can choose to walk alone or in pairs or groups. Since it can be a tiresome journey, he/she brings a few basic necessities as much as possible. A traditional henro get-up would be a white shirt, conical Asian hat, and a wagesa or stole, along with kongō-zue or wooden walking staff. He/she may also carry a bag containing name slips, prayer beads, a nōkyō-chō, incense sticks, and coins used as offerings.
(info: mandala, omotenashi88) (pic: whereisdarrennow)
Nōkyō-chō. Says mandala, "This is a special book in which one collects the signatures and seals of every temple. It is your record that you visited each temple. It will become your prized possession once the pilgrimage is over." Each temple's monk or nun stamps a page with about 2 stamps and then writes in beautiful calligraphy the name of the temple, its deity and/or mantra in kanji.
(info: mandala, shikokuhenrotrail) (pic: blogger-index)
Osettai. The act of gift-giving to pilgrims. According to mcouture, "Traditionally, common people gave osettai to monks making the pilgrimage because they wanted to be blessed by Buddha for their support. They also believed that osettai, beyond its practical benefits, would be a blessing for the monks. In more recent times, since the onset of the Edo period (c. 1600), it has become popular for common people to make the pilgrimage, and the hospitality toward pilgrims has also become more commonplace." The osettai can be in the form of money, food or drink or a useful item (towels) and should never be refused.
(info: mcouture)
Zenkon Yado. Or charity lodgings or household that offers free accommodations to a henro. A henro can also bring his own tent, or stay/rest at rest huts, public park benches, and bus stops.
(info: heyworld)
Shikoku Henro. Or the Shikoku Pilgrimage is a pilgrimage consisting of 88 sacred places or Buddhist temples in Shikoku Island. It is a 1200 km loop around the island and can take a month or two to finish. Pilgrims traditionally walk this route but many resort to riding vehicles (bus, taxis, cars, bicycles). It is said that Kukai (Kobo Daishi) had visited all temples and that after he passed away, monks of Shingon sect followed in the revered Buddhist monk's footsteps, thus creating the Shikoku Henro.
(info: wiki, heyworld) (pic: shirominaji)
Kōbō Daishi (774–835). Also known as Kūkai or the Japanese monk/scholar and civil servant who propagated esoteric Buddhist teachings in Japan. He was born in Shikoku, and is said "to have established or visited many of its temples and to have carved many of the images" in the island. During his/her spiritual journey, a pilgrim wears a sign that says "Dōgyō Ninin" (Two Pilgrims Practicing Together) meaning that he can ask Kōbō Daishi to "walk with him and to completely turn yourself over to his care ("I entrust myself fully to the great teacher Kōbō Daishi" is a mantra that is often said and can be seen everywhere on this journey). And if asked, he (Daishi) long ago vowed to walk with anyone who requests it." In return, it is said that he will grant the pilgrim's wish at the completion of the journey.
(info: wiki, shikokuhenrotrail)
Henro or Pilgrim. A henro undertakes the pilgrimage due to spiritual or tourism-related purposes. He/she can choose to walk alone or in pairs or groups. Since it can be a tiresome journey, he/she brings a few basic necessities as much as possible. A traditional henro get-up would be a white shirt, conical Asian hat, and a wagesa or stole, along with kongō-zue or wooden walking staff. He/she may also carry a bag containing name slips, prayer beads, a nōkyō-chō, incense sticks, and coins used as offerings.
(info: mandala, omotenashi88) (pic: whereisdarrennow)
Nōkyō-chō. Says mandala, "This is a special book in which one collects the signatures and seals of every temple. It is your record that you visited each temple. It will become your prized possession once the pilgrimage is over." Each temple's monk or nun stamps a page with about 2 stamps and then writes in beautiful calligraphy the name of the temple, its deity and/or mantra in kanji.
(info: mandala, shikokuhenrotrail) (pic: blogger-index)
Osettai. The act of gift-giving to pilgrims. According to mcouture, "Traditionally, common people gave osettai to monks making the pilgrimage because they wanted to be blessed by Buddha for their support. They also believed that osettai, beyond its practical benefits, would be a blessing for the monks. In more recent times, since the onset of the Edo period (c. 1600), it has become popular for common people to make the pilgrimage, and the hospitality toward pilgrims has also become more commonplace." The osettai can be in the form of money, food or drink or a useful item (towels) and should never be refused.
(info: mcouture)
Zenkon Yado. Or charity lodgings or household that offers free accommodations to a henro. A henro can also bring his own tent, or stay/rest at rest huts, public park benches, and bus stops.
(info: heyworld)
