Japan - Pilgrimage of Shikoku 2014 - Part 4 : Nirvana
Hello everyone,
After “Illumination” comes “Nirvana,” the final stage of this pilgrimage.
We are nearing the end of this second period of lockdown (this text was written during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020). Let’s stay positive! At the end of the tunnel, there is often light, renewal, hope… and a sense of peace.
“Nirvana” on the Pilgrimage of the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku
This fourth part, symbolically called “Nirvana,” represents the supreme state of serenity in Buddhist tradition. In this state of mental clarity and calm, one can begin to look ahead, to dream again, and to plant the seeds of new projects.
This journey challenges the
mind. It pushes me to go beyond my limits, to adapt, to observe, to
listen, to redefine my comfort zone. It strengthens an inner force that
grows with each step.
Knowing deep down that one can complete such a long pilgrimage — in both
distance and days — is a powerful realization. With enough willpower,
it’s within everyone’s reach.
In the end, I’ve gained confidence and rekindled my energy. I feel ready for new adventures!
My Story
This April has been a
truly pleasant moment in time. The weather is mild, the sky is clear,
and the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
I’m growing accustomed to Japanese culture — its refined cuisine, its
rituals, its pace. I continue walking from temple to temple, which are
now closer and closer together, following the northern coast of the
province, heading ever eastward.
A wave of nostalgia comes
over me… I realize I’m approaching the final temples, numbers 87 and 88,
nestled in a hilly landscape. But the journey isn’t quite over yet.
I still need to cross the mountains and retrace my steps, passing once
more in front of temples 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2, and finally
closing the circle at temple number 1.
Along the road near these
familiar temples, I feel compelled to revisit them. There’s something
new about these places, as if I’m seeing them with a different sense — a
renewed energy.
In truth, the temples haven’t changed. I have.
And so the circle is complete when I reach temple number 1, Ryozenji.
It’s time for some rest at a nearby inn, before possibly continuing
toward Koyasan… and maybe even beginning the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage
next.
You can find this fourth
part of the journey in images, from temple 66 to temple 88, and the
return to temple 1, by browsing through the final folios in the menu:
Photo Library > Countries > Asia > Japan > Shikoku > Pilgrimage > Nirvana
See you soon in Koyasan!
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