Ascetic Training
Today was our longest walk to date and it was all about ascetic training. We’ve been reciting the pilgrims oath and commandments for a few days now and today it helped put things into perspective. Pilgrim Oath #2 “I will not complain if things do not go well while on the pilgrimage, but consider such experiences to be a part of ascetic training”. After temple twelves difficult climb, our painful knees and poor sleep, our bodies were tired and aching. At times a new pain would violently introduce itself making us recite Oath #2 again. Ascetic training has become our mantra. We will overcome these difficult times, right?
Midway to Temple 13 (Dainichi-ji), we stopped for a snack on the side of a small mountain road. Sitting on a rock wall and pulling an apple from my backpack, my tired and uncoordinated hands fumbled. The apple started slowly rolling down the steep incline. Not exactly feeling spry, it took a of couple of seconds to get on my feet and start after the now faster rolling red ball. Hearing the engine of an approaching vehicle, my mind actually contemplated continuing after my apple to save it, or save myself and the innocent person driving by getting out of the middle of the road. The apple lost. I cleared the street with just enough time to see the slightly shocked, but smiling face of an elderly Japanese lady. Of course she had no idea why a foreign pilgrim would be clumsily running down a mountain road. Matt ended up investigating the fate of my fruit. Turns out it was on the verge of continuing its downhill race but got held up by a tiny rock. While saving my apple, Matt met a farmer and got an o-settai of two oranges.
In addition to fleeing fruit, each pilgrim carries in their bag Ofuda, or name slips. On these small pieces of paper is written your name, where you are from, date and wish or dedication. In addition to giving Ofuda to people who gift you o-settai (presents), you place the name slips in a box at each temples Main and Daishi halls. This pilgrimage is dedicated to my parents. My father passed this year my mother in 1999. It is the first time I have written, Danuta Wszelaki in almost two decades. Every time I write her name on an Ofuda I get flooded with emotion and imagery - pride, beauty, sadness, her smile, her energy, ambition, her quirks and her determination. I didn’t expect that to happen.
Met Swedish-American Ruth from Temple 10 and walked together with her for about 6 km. Ate lunch and then more ascetic training until we reached our evening lodging.
April 12, 2016 - Temples 13, 14, 15, 16
