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The Blues Brothers were on a
mission from God. I’m on
a mission to the gods. Like
Moses going up Sinai, like a priest entering the inner sanctum, I will
be knock knock knockin’ on Heaven’s door.
Few people have the luxury of
getting away for a long vacation—let alone a pilgrimage of three
months’ duration. This
was as true 300 years ago as it is today.
So the Japanese developed a custom of appointing one
representative to take their needs to the kami (Shinto gods) and
Buddhas on their behalf—a sort of holy lobbyist.
At your
request,
I will do the same for you. The
intentions expressed usually take one of two forms:
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You can ask for something: a new job, a true love, success
for your child, a recovery from illness for yourself or another.
Or a more altruistic wish, like an end to global conflict, or the
healing of the earth’s environment.
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Others prefer to simply give thanks.
A grateful heart is a peaceful heart.
I will solemnly promise to
present all petitions and thanksgivings:
at least once a day on the
Tokaido
and Yamato
portions of the walk, including in front of the Daibutsu
(Great Buddha) of Nara, and in front of Kobo Daishi on Mt.
Koya; and
at every one of the 88 temples on Shikoku,
meaning an average of almost twice a day.
“But James,” you ask,
“what makes you think the kami and Buddhas will listen to
you?” Traditionally, the
undertaking of the journey itself is a kind of offering.
Walking is a discipline, and it puts the walking pilgrim in a
strong bargaining position. It
gets the gods’ attention.
Then, I’m
undertaking the traditional pilgrims’ vows, known in Japanese as the
Juzenkai. As listed on David
Turkington’s site, these are:
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Do not kill.
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Do not steal.
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Do not engage in inappropriate sex.
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Do not tell lies.
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Do not flatter others untruthfully.
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Do not speak badly of others.
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Do not be deceitful.
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Do not be greedy.
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Do not get angry.
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Do not cause wrongful thinking by others.
Others have added the
“usual” ancient Buddhist precepts of vegetarianism—something I
already do—and abstinence from alcohol.
Will I keep all of the vows
perfectly? No.
But the effort is in itself meritorious.
I will certainly keep the “Big Three” of no meat, no alcohol,
and no sex. And of course
killing and stealing are out of the question.
The others—numbers 4-10 above—are tougher, because they are
more internal. They will
present my greatest challenge.
In any case, between the shugyo
(religious discipline) of walking, and the practice of the Precepts
above, I hope to earn the right to take your requests and thanks to the
gods.
Please
send
your intentions and I will present them as faithfully as possible.
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HISTORY
