Continuous change is the only constant in this world. Nothing remains the same for very long. Everything is process, not objects. These represent one of the basic ideas of Buddhism, and it is very appropriate in relation to our Henro pilgrimage.
A week ago, Ian and I had a long talk and for various reasons changed our plans. Instead of the do-it-all-at-once version of the Henro, we have decided to do it in two legs - half in 2009 and the other half in 2010. Traditionally the only requirement is to visit all 88 temples and to complete the recitation of the Heart Sutra at each. Such things as the order you visit them, the mode of transportation, the total time required, and so forth are irrelevant. The only thing is to get to all of them.
Ian was having trouble arranging to be away from his university for the seven weeks that would be required for the continuous trip. Also we would have to hurry, even I could not be away much longer than that. And we both have only limited funds available for the trip.
On our revised trip we will cover the first half in about 25 days, being away for about a month. This means that we will have shorter walks each day and will be able to spend more time at the temples and to stop at interesting places along the way. With the budget reduced in proportion to the length, it will also mean that we will be able to stop overnight at temples and pilgrims' inns (ryokan) every night rather than sleeping out most nights. Both Ian and I were a bit concerned about sleeping out in the dead of winter. We both thought that we might wake up one morning frozen to death.
Financially, the total cost of the trip will be more but the amount for this year will be about 2/3 of what we had expected, even sleeping indoors every night. The second half of the trip in 2010 will cost about the same, so even sleeping indoors every night, our budgeted funds will be enough for this year and half of next years trip.
One additional advantage that us old guys especially appreciate is that our packs can be closer to four kilograms, rather than the six or seven that we had expected.
Once we started thinking about a two leg trip, all we could find were benefits and no negatives. Once Christmas and New Years are over, we will get into serious detailed planning and I will keep you informed all the way.
About Me
- Charles
- Nakagawa-machi, Chikush-gun, Fukuoka-ken, Japan
- I have lived in Japan since 1976 and now consider it to be my permanent home. I have a very varied background having studied engineering, Japanese and East Asian studies, and education at the university level. I spent ten years in the Army where my job involved Area Studies, mostly in East Asia. When I started to teach in Japan, it was at a post high school level and, after I completed a PhD in education, I moved to a university where I become a full professor. After retiring, I taught part-time but am now completely retired and spend my enjoying myself. I am reasonably fluent in Japanese and at present all of my friends are elderly Japanese.
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