While traveling, much of my time is spent people-watching. I enjoy seeing different fashion ideas, and this trip to Japan was no exception. Today we made the journey to Mount Koya, a centre of Buddhist study and practice. Koyasan was founded deep in the mountains twelve centuries ago to be far from worldly distractions so monks could practise and pray for peace and the welfare of the people. Today, getting there involved local trains, shinkansen, a cable-car, and a bus. Over time, many came to believe that Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Koyasan, had not really died, but instead had entered an eternal meditation for the liberation of all beings. This faith has sustained generations and drawn pilgrims to Mount Koya for over a millennium. Temples that provide lodging to guests are called shukubo; originally they were only for itinerant monks. In 1832, there were 1812 temples in Koyasan. Due to destruction by fires and also the combining of small temples into larger ones, there are now 117 temples here, 52 of which provide lodgings. We stayed at the prestigious Yochi-in. It's rock garden was registered as one of the Monuments of Japan in 2009. Danjo Garan is one of the two most important areas in Koyasan. The name Garan is derived from Sanskrit and means a quiet, secluded place where Buddhist monks may train. Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda) was planned as the centre for Kobo Daishi's monastic complex. Inside are five Buddha statues and 16 bodhisattvas painted on pillars. We walked past many temples, including Kongobuji Temple before stopping to read the story of Karukaya Doshin and Ishidomaru at Karukayado. The sad tale of father and son monks inspired us to purchase a small memento from the temple. We walked Odawara Street en route to Sando... Sando is the entrance path through Okunoin to the sacred ground of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum. The 2km path runs between ancient cedars and past more than 200000 grave stones for people ranging from important historical figures to commoners, attesting to the deep faith in Koyasan. Some Buddhists statues wear red bibs... The name of this bodhisattva is Jizo Bosatsu, believed to watch over and protect children in the afterlife. The bibs are placed on statues by those who have lost children, with the prayer that Ojizo-san will watch over them as a surrogate parent, and also for the long life of living children. At the end of the path, one finds the religious heart of Koyasan, the mausoleum where Kobo Daishi remains in eternal meditation. The Torodo (Lantern Hall) is a prayer hall in front of the mausoleum. The giant coffee/tea cup atop one of the burial sites struck me as a very appropriate memorial for many people today.
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