Like a practitioner of Shugen-Do...

It was already almost at 10:30 when I felt going to Mt. Hiei to visit temples there. My quick respond and action can never be separated if I feel something intuitive coming from my inner self. 

So I got on a train 5 min later and already arrived in Mt.Hiei around 12:00. The fare for the cable train cost 1,260 JPY for return. Wow, very expensive, and the temperature in the mountain was -1... 

This holy Buddhist Temple area was opened by Saicho almost 1000 years ago, and designated as World heritage.   

I went there because I wanted to visit one of the temple "Ganzan temple" in Yokokawa area to get special armlet to attach to the entrance and the inside of my living room which is said to get any evil spirits away. 

However I found out that there are no shuttle bus operation in winter, and no choice but to get there by foot. 1 hour 30 min in the natural trail....

Why not? Very cold, but very sunny! 

Actually, it took me only 1 hour to get to Yokokawa area. I think I walked very first a practitioner of Shugen-do, but very comfortable and refreshing. The spirit of an ancient Shugen-do practitioner might have walked with me to pump me up. 

While walking, I really enjoy myself in the nature of Mt. Hiei finding amazing views of trees and tiny Buddhist stone statues lining along the path. When I worked as a tour leader, I went to Kumano-kodo with my clients to walk the ancient path. I felt the same for Mt. Hiei as I did for Kumano-kodo path. 

Chanting Buddhist sutra and mantra, my mind was naturally led to the state of walking meditation. I'm actually not good at sitting meditation, but I really love walking meditation. 

I'm planning to try climbing Mt.Fuji this Summer, and this Mt. Hiei must be good for my preparation as well as Mt. Miwa. What I mean by preparation is not only for physical, but also for mental state of mind. Both holy mountains must be helping my preparation. 

On the way, the view of Kyoto was very stunning. When the ancient capital of Japan, Heiankyo (Kyoto) was founded almost 1000 years ago, this Mt. Hiei and temple at that time took and are still taking a holy role of blocking "Kimon" (North-Eastern direction) which is believed that evil spirits are coming in. 

It was a very quick visit, but I managed to greet Buddhist statues at each temples. However I was feeling that I must have greeted them not in rush while having sesame beans sweets and hot green tea.

I'm sure I'm coming back here soon for sure. I've already made a promise with them....

A bit more photos can be found my face book account Masami Egashira.

Masami