Anrakuji Temple - 安楽寺 (6)

While walking, someone booked me into this temple to sleep. The cost was steep at 6,000¥ but included dinner and breakfast. It was a place to sleep and something to fill my belly.

I arrived tired and burned from the sun. All I wanted to do was shower and sit. That was the first thing I did. There was an onsan (hot spring), and I sat there for an hour. It felt great. I could barely walk around the temple; I was in so much pain from walking 23 km.

Next was a vegan dinner. I met (name to come later) and his wife (name to come later). He was an English immigration officer, now working in the immigration detention center. We talked about education, cultures, our jobs, and the challenges we find in our jobs. His wife could not speak English, so she just smiled. The talk was great,t and I learned so much.

After dinner, er we went to this cave connected to the temple. Inside was this huge golden Buddha along with several smaller ones. The children, who were also staying at the temple, were sitting on the floor. The head monk, dressed in traditional robes, began chanting, and everyone did the same. I just sat there and meditated by focusing on my breathing. I don’t know Japanese. We then went into this underground river. We lit a candle and watched it float on the river, chanting "Doyo niny" (you never walk alone), meaning a spirit is always with you. We then put a wish on a thin piece of wood and walked to a big fire. The wood burned in an instant. Then we went back to where we were in the cave and circled the Buddha 8 times while chanting Doyo niny.

Then we walked through the temples and stood near the offerings to Buddha, finally back to the living area. I sat with my new friend and talked about this experience as he explained what had happened.

It was just an amazing experience.