Carpe Diem #417, Ishite-ji (temple 51)

Dear O-Henro ... Haijin, visitors and travelers,

After our ''freedom''-talk yesterday it is good to be silent a while, so this new stage we walk in silence. Thinking over all the things we have talked about. Enjoying the stilness of nature, the whispered prayers of our fellow pilgrims ... just you and your thoughts.

We will visit the 51th temple, Ishite-ji, devoted to the Buddha of medicine and Healing, Yakushi Nyorai. The temple of Annoyō-ji was originally founded by Gyōki, and converted from a Hossō to a Shingon temple by Kūkai. Rebuilt by the ruler of Iyo Province in the eighth century, many of the temple buildings were destroyed by the Chōsokabe in the sixteenth century. The aetiology sees the temple's name changed to Ishite-ji or 'stone-hand temple' after the tightly-clenched hand of the newborn son of the lord of Iyo Province was opened by a priest from the Annoyō-ji to reveal a stone inscribed 'Emon Saburō is reborn'.

Ishiteji (temple 51)

I hope you have read the legend about Emon Saburo (by clicking on the link above). It's a nice legend and really a joy to read. Emon Saburo was absoluted by Kukai (or Kobo Daishi) after walking the pilgrimage 20 times and one in reverse on which he died.

in deep silence
Saburo is walking the path -
a frog jumps away

(c) Chèvrefeuille

While we are continuing our pilgrimage in silence our thoughts will be going on a role with us. It is not easy to make your mind silent, but it is worth trying, because in the silence lays our freedom, in silence lays our life and love ... to be silent makes you stronger ... try it once or a while.

rustling leaves
breaking through the deep silence
the silence deepens

(c) Chèvrefeuille

Ishiteji temple-pagoda

In silence there is healing, take your time to be silent. Go on a walk through the woods or through the city-park. Become one with nature and feel the inner health grow when you are walking in deep silence, meditating and contemplating on the tasks of life.

in the cathedral
the sound of praying man and women
deepens the silence

(c) Chèvrefeuille

This episode will be open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until March 10th 11.59 AM (CET). I will (try to) publish our new episode, that will be another Special episode about Paulo Coelho's pilgrimage to Santiago De Compostela, later on today. For now ... have fun, be inspired and share your haiku with us all here at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.