Noriko took us out for a picnic and a hike up to a Buddhist temple. I find it odd visiting spiritual sites as a tourist. I guess it is no different then visiting different cathedrals in Europe. Temple visiting has become a common hobby/pastime in Japan. Most temple visitors are just tourists. But the temples are still in use. Daily monks light incense for prayers and rituals are followed. They grounds are still used for worship by the faithful and desperate, all hoping for something better out of this life.
Serious Buddhist pilgrims go to each temple collecting "the manifestations of Buddha". I have been told that there are 88 manifestations of Buddha (and you can collect them all). At each temple a mark or stamp is placed on a rice paper type tapestry which can be hung in the home.
The temple we were at was special because it did not have just one statue of Buddha, not even two, but 33 different stages of "Buddha-ness". It would save the pilgrim a few trips.
Word Up: Ichi -One
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