Yesterday I met with K-san, got on the overnight ferry and today finally arrived in Shikoku.
We went from Takamatsu station to Bandou, then walked to the first temple - Ryouzanji - and I bought the henro equipment and outfit I needed.
K-san is able to walk the first 5 temples with me while leading by example.
Me in the henro outfit in front of Ryouzanji's gate
Visiting a temple goes as follows:
Take off the hat (tsugegasa or just kasa)
Put on the Wagesa (buddhist stole)
Bow at the gate
Place the staff (kongouzue) in one of the provided holders
Wash (purify) hands and mouth at the Chouzu (for hygene reasons just pretend to wash one's mouth)
When there is a bell, it's okay to ring it (unless there is some notice saying not to)
Go to the main temple building, ring the bell if there is one and bow three times
Read the sutra
Bow and and put a votive card into the designated box
Go to the Daishidou temple building (this is devoted to Kuukai i.e. Kouboudaishi), ring the bell if there is one and bow three times
Read the sutra
Bow and and put a votive card into the designated box
Go to the Noukyoujo and get stamps and a sutra written into one's Noukyouchou (book for recording each temple's sutra)
Bow at the gate when leaving the temple
And so today I walked to the following:
Awa City, 7th temple Juurakuji
I stayed at Guesthouse Ishida in Awa City
The host lady was very kind, the food was delicious and the room was spacy.
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