Shikoku Henro tour – Touring 88 places of pilgrimage

Henro is an act of pilgrimage the whole of Shikoku while based at eighty-eight bill places in Shikoku. It is said that the eighty-eight temples are all old and have a history with the great master (Kobo-Daishi).

Kobo-Daishi was trained in Shikoku, the place of birth. Therefore, Kobo Daishi thought about his own way of life, sought for an ideal, prayed to convey it to as many people as possible, and made an effort.

In this article, we tell you the origin of the Shikoku pilgrimage and the attitude to take part in the pilgrimage tour.

What is the ‘Henro’?

In ancient times, Shikoku was a place far from the center of Japan, and it was a place of various trainings. The great master (Kobo Daishi, Kukai), who was born in Sanuki, Kagawa Prefecture, was also frequently trained in this area, and it was reported that he selected eighty-eight temples and created eighty-eight spirit places in Shikoku.
It is ‘Henro’ to pilgrimage the eighty-eight places relics that are the ruins of the Kobo Daishi.

The original Henro was centered on the monks. After that, with the rise of people’s faith in Kobo Daishi, it is said that many people from all over Japan were pilgrimage. And, as a place of connection of Kobo Daishi, it has developed as a sacred place that everyone wants to visit once.

About Kobo Daishi

Image source : https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A9%BA%E6%B5%B7#/media/File:Kobo_Daishi_(Taisanji_Matsuyama).jpg

Kobo Daishi was born in 774 in Sanuki “Byoubugaura” (currently Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture). His young name is Mao, and it is said that he was a brilliant child.

When he was 15, he went up to Nagaokakyo to become a high-ranking official, and he entered university when he was 18 years old. At that time he was determined to be a Buddha’s way to go, under the great influence of the practitioners practicing Buddha in Yoshino and Mount Katsuragi.

And then, Kobo Daishi quit the university, overcoming the opposition around him.
After that, for the purpose of lawmaking, he was subjected to rigorous training at his birthplace of Mt Ishizuchi, Otakigoku, Murotozaki, etc.

After that, Kobo Daishi changed his name to “Kukai”, and went to Tang as a group of Chinese angels, and studied everything from monk Eka at Seiryu Temple in Chang’an.

After returning Japan, he was able to get permission to open Shingon-shu. He went to Mt. Koya and To-ji Temple, and wrote “Immediate Buddhahood righteousness” and “Secret Mandala and Tenjurism”, and worked on Buddhist altars, focusing on esoteric religion.

Kobo Daishi figure at Zentuji Temple

He also made great efforts to disseminate education and social projects, such as the construction of the first Japanese educational institution for the people of Japan, the construction of the “Shugeishuchi-in”, and the construction of the Manno-ike.

With the aim of allowing people to be happy and prosperous, and a way of life in which each of us can make full use of our abilities and talents, Kobo Daishi established its efforts at Mt. Koya in 835 at the age of 62. In honor of his achievements, he was awarded the Great Diploma of Kobo Daishi in 921 by emperor Daigo.

With him

When you are practicing pilgrimage, you are always with Kobo Daishi. In the case of the Shikoku pilgrim, as a symbol, the Kongo cane is considered to be Kobo Daishi itself. Even if there are multiple trainees, there are two individuals, individuals and a companion of Kobo Daishi.

Pilgrimage attitude

Henro is an act of pilgrimage the whole of Shikoku while based at eighty-eight bill places in Shikoku. All eighty-eight temples are said to have a long history and history with Kobo Daishi. Kobo Daishi was trained in Shikoku, the place of birth. So I thought about my own way of life, asked for an ideal, prayed to convey that to as many people as I did, and made an effort.

It is a pilgrimage to visit the trace of Kobo Daishi.

In addition, Henro is an act that seeks to change the mind. Even if we don’t think in depth, it is said that as we go around the temple, our mind will be transformed. It does not mean that you are required to read difficult books, interpret difficult scriptures, and cause ordinary people to suffer as much as they can.

However, the act of crawling in a sacred place is, even temporarily, an act of secession to the sanctuary, and there are various manners and rules. It is true that the pilgrimage will be deepened if you put in mind the significance that you put in your mind and action before you move on to the actual action. It is said that “prayer” is important in the pilgrimage since ancient times. Please pray carefully for the temple and Kobo Daishi during the pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage manners

Each of the eighty-eight temples in Shikoku has the duality of being a pilgrimage temple and a temple of local pagans. In addition, the temples and the people in the vicinity have stern eyes that regard the pilgrim as a “trainer.”

As such, the facilities dedicated to pilgrimage are minimally equipped and have traditionally existed by the well-meaning of temples and locals until today. The facilities have been greatly improved now compared to old times, but please understand that point as it is not a place like a tourist destination.

Please follow the above manners and make a pilgrimage.

The people of Shikoku have called pilgrimage people “Ohenro-san”, have respected and have been warmly welcomed them. Because they have seen pilgrims devote themselves to the great master and have been trained hard. Please visit while keeping in mind the tense pilgrimage.

Eighty-eight temples

75 Zentsu-ji (Kagawa)

TOKUSHIMA

KOCHI

EHIME

KAGAWA