FAQ

When visiting the Shikoku cemetery, do you have to visit in the order of the numbers?

Answer: It is not always necessary to visit in order. It is up to the pilgrim to start from which number and which route to visit. However, there are many information books on the market from No. 1 to No. 88, such as information books on the market and information signs installed by governments and organizations.

Is it better to have all the pilgrimage equipment from the beginning?

It is not always necessary to have everything from the beginning. At first, you can prepare basic items such as a stamp book and pilgrim coat, which are proof of being a Henro-san, and you can prepare what you think is necessary as you go around.

Is there a fixed time to read when visiting?

There is not always a fixed thing, but the spiritual meeting recommends the basic way of praying, so please take a look.
Click here for the reading method

Is it ok to pay before paying respects?

Basically, the payment is given as a proof that the Buddha or the master has met (read), so it will be given after your visit. However, if the closing time is near, it may be possible to inform you in advance. In addition, paying a copy of a copy of a copy of the paper in advance can be a proof of paying the cost as an alternative to reading.

Do you have to visit from the main hall when you visit?

Basically, it is from the main hall, but if you are crowded when you visit, you can go to other halls.

I’d like to take my brocade, Gold, and Silver name slips home.

It is not recommended to take the above-mentioned bills home from the wallet. They are provided to the Buddha and Daishi. You can ask for anything you have got along the way, or ask for it at the noukyojo, etc.

Is there a rule when offering incense sticks or candles?

If you place incense sticks as close to the center as possible and candles at the top, they will not interfere with those who come later. Make sure that you don’t put any unburned matches in Koro when you light the incense stick. The incense burner is a place where incense sticks are offered to Buddha and Daishi. Do not put together several incense sticks in advance with a resinous tape such as cellophane tape. The fire goes out at the place where it was put together, and the incense sticks always burn, which hinders those who come later.

Why don’t pilgrims use a cane on a bridge or when worshiping a sacred place?

Mainly based on the story of Toyohashi, the master. According to a legend, the Daishi greeted the nightfall in Shikoku while traveling around Shikoku, but the surrounding area was rural and he could not find a private house. Daishi found a bridge over the creek and decided to spend the night under the bridge, but it seemed like one dark and long night seemed to be ten nights. Therefore, it is said that he sang the song “If you don’t pass the troubled image, the bridge and the night of tonight”. From this legend, in Shikoku Henro, pilgrims have a custom not to use a cane on any bridge, not just on this one bridge, so that the master can sleep.

What kind of characters are written on the payment account?

Mainly on the right side is the dedication (past), in the center is the sacred temple of each sacred place, and on the left is the temple name of the sacred place.

Do I have to give thanks after visiting all the Shikoku sacred sites?

Thank you for visiting the shrine and temples, and then return to the beginning for benefit, but it is not compulsory that you must go. In the case of Shikoku Henro, if you can afford it, thank you again for being a Shikoku Henro.

What does it mean to have two accompanying people?

This means that the Daishi is always with you not only in pilgrimages but also in daily life.

Is it better to attach a cane cover to a wand?

It is not necessary to put it, on but since there are many mistakes in walking sticks, it is recommended that you write something that will be used as a landmark and your name so that you can find it easily.

Are pilgrimage equipment in every sacred place?

Since they are not located in all sacred places, we recommend that you check it when you visit.

When and how should bells such as the bell tower be open?

There are various theories, but the bell is also a signal before worship, so it is best to ask once before visiting. Even if you forget to ring it, you will not cause trouble or make issue to ring when you leave.. The reason for this is that the “bell that goes out” can be called “withdrawal”, so it doesn’t go away, and the bell that sends the dead is also called “de-ga”. A bell is not just a loud sound, but a sound that is delivered to the Buddha. Rather than striking the bell unnecessarily, hit the bells within a reasonable range and tone.

What is “Osettai”?

In Shikoku, we have been told that we respect the pilgrims who travel through the Shikoku sacred sites, and by helping them, even if they are not doing pilgrimages, they can receive the same merit as those pilgrims. It is said that Mr. Hirano Ojiro expressed appreciation for receiving such donations, and expressed his respect by adding “Go” like “Receiving osettai”.Also, pilgrims who have been receiving “osettai” also have an ancient custom of handing over their name slip as a thank you.

How should I handle Mikage?

After collecting them, you can store them in a special container or decorate it with a scroll or frame. If there are many after many circuits, it may be handed over to the people around you or put in a coffin at a funeral. You may decline to accept it again.

What is counterstroke? Also, why do you do it during the leap year?

Travel from the 88th temple to the 1st. This is based on the legend of Saburo Emon. There was a farmer named Imon Saburo in Iyo (Ehime Prefecture) in the Heian Period. Saburo is in power, and is said to have been greedy and less greedy. At one point, a monk appeared and tried to dress up. Saburo turned around, but the monk appeared over and over again. On the 7th day, when Saburo was angry and knocked the bowl that the priest dedicated to him with a broom (there was a theory that he grabbed and hit the ground), the bowl broke into eight and the monk no longer appeared.
At that time Saburo had eight children, but one child died each year, and eventually all died. A great master appeared at the bedside of Saburo who was overwhelmed by sadness, and he told him that the former monk was a master and Saburo regretted his actions. In order to repent, Saburo repeated the pilgrimage of Shikoku twenty times in pursuit of the Daishi, but he couldn’t meet him, so he decided to go the other way around. However, during the pilgrimage, he fell ill near the Yakeyama-ji Temple in Awakuni (Tokushima Prefecture). THe master appeared before Saburo, whose death was approaching, and Saburo apologized for his disrespect, but he died asking if he had any hope in the next life to help others. It is said that the Daishi took the stone beside him and wrote “Emon Saburo Returns” and let him hold it with his left hand. Also, the year was considered a leap year. From this legend, it has been told that you can meet a master if you go back from 88 to 1 in a leap year.

Do I have to visit all at once when I visit?

There is no fixed method of pilgrimage. Visit from the temple you can go to when you go, visit to the place you decided, visit each prefecture, visit half by half, visit all around at once, etc. Please come according to your convenience and schedule.

Do you have any specific clothes to visit?

There are no specific dress at the cemetery, but we will use the white garments as described in the explanation of the pilgrimage equipment. For those who simplify a little, we recommend wearing a white coat on a darkly colored outfit and wearing white trousers or shoes below if possible. Also, be sure to have incense, candles, and an stamp book. Even those who visit in a simple attire wear a white coat that reads “Nanmu Daishi Hensho Kongo” from the top. The feelings and attitudes of pilgrimage by changing clothing will change the feeling a lot.

What is Shukubo?

It is a temple that has an inn for those who take a pilgrimage. Be sure to check and make a reservation before using. Since Shukuyadobo is not a hotel or ryokan, there are some inconveniences due to the fact that accommodation costs are as low as possible and convenient for pilgrims. Shukuyadobo is built and maintained by the clean assets of Shikoku Henro, so let’s use the facilities with care.

Is it necessary to visit Mt. Koya after all the Shikoku sacred sites have been visited?

You are not forced to go. If you can afford it, please report to the master that you have visited the Shikoku sacred sites safely and give your thanks.

I can’t finish my work during the commemorative project at Shikoku Cemetery. Can I get a commemorative gift after the project ends?

Basically, the award will be given only during the period. If you are unable to visit for your own reasons, please contact the temple that you cannot visit during the period.

The meaning of the sect is not Shingon sect, but can you visit the Shikoku sacred sites?

The temples that make up the Shikoku cemetery are not limited to the Shingon sect, but consist of many sects. In addition, no matter what the sect of pilgrimage to Shikoku sacred place is, it does not matter at Shikoku sacred place. In Shikoku, the pilgrimages are greeted by all members of the sect.

I have a half-price book that my parents and ancestors used at home. Can I use this for my visit?

It is not decided that it cannot be used, but when you start a new pilgrimage, you will need to prepare a new book for each person. We also recommend that you visit the Shikoku sacred ground.

What are the means of doing the Shikoku pilgrimage?

There are walking pilgrimages, car pilgrimages, and pilgrimages using public transportation to perform Shikoku pilgrimages, which can be combined and visited.
Click here for typical means from other prefectures to Shikoku

What is the difference between red stamp and payment?

The red stamp is often given as a memorial to the visit, but in the case of payment, it is a proof that the worship is paid to the principal and the master (reading and copying). The meaning is different from what you get when you visit.

Why don’t you date your payment?

The Shikoku cemetery is not something that ends once, but many people have paid for several circuits since ancient times. The date of worship at the temple is not a memorial day, but it is only part of the daily passing point, so the temple will not be dated in writing. If you want to enter the date, please go to another page yourself.

What is the meaning of the letters written on Ajiro and Akasaka?

It protects the head from sunlight and wind and rain. On the sedge hat are the phrases, “Mayouga-Yueni Sankaiha-Shiro” (Because you are imprisoned by desires, you cannot escape from the three realms), “Satoruga-Yueni Juppouha-Kuu” (When you arrive at your enlightenment you will see a world that is free and peaceful.), “Honrai Touzai-Nashi” (In the original world there was no such thing as East or West. These things were decided by men.), “Izukonika Nanboku-Aran” (Because there is no such thing as South or North, abandon your worry and live free”, and “Dougyou Ninin” (Two are walking together), and a Sanskrit character that represents O-Daishi-sama are written. Generally, we keep the Sanskrit character at the front. There are also accessories to cover the sedge hat and also a chin strap.

Why is the letter representing Daishi the same as the letter representing Maitreya?

In the “History and Shadows” of the master’s immigration religion, “Hisashi Kage Kobun” says, “Toroi at the Takano tree (to drop the house under Takano’s tree)” Hino Kagemu (Doesn’t change the shadows of the day) Gyoko Jyono Ruins (Detects the archeological sites) (Translation: “Daishi stays in the inn at the back of Koyasan. Detecting the distrust of the archeological site.) In addition, Daishi said, ” After visiting the priesthood, after over 5.6 billion years of age, be sure to always follow the old site when you are a god of reverence. At birth, you should ask my foresight … “.From this fact, the Buddhist character (yu), which represents the Maitreya Bodhisattva, has been identified as the Maitreya Bodhisattva that appears after the death of Buddha.

Is it possible to bring a pet / guide dog?

(One company) There are no rules for visiting animals accompanied by animals at the Shikoku 88 Sites. Please check the above directly for each temple you visit.