A Henro State of Mind
It has now been over three months since I finished my pilgrimage on Shikoku and over a month since my last post. Although I’ve slipped back into my usual routines, I also find that my mind is still very much in a Henro state. I’ve been steadily using my weekends to walk in nature, while focusing on meditation and exploring the Dharma.
I’ve been thinking about whether and how to continue this blog while not being on the pilgrimage myself. The intention was always to make this a sort of encouragement for others who are researching the possibilities of becoming a Henro. Even the name suggests a form of motivation and support, as described in my early posts, mostly for myself at first. But now that I’ve completed the journey, I feel the need to give back—or, better yet, give it forward.
Like most walking and cycling pilgrims, before reaching the 88th temple I visited the Henro Museum, where I received the certificate naming me a Henro Ambassador. I didn’t give this much thought at the time, as I was about to finish my final hike of the pilgrimage. After getting back to Takamatsu, I carefully sealed it and stored it in my backpack, along with my goshuin-chō, the sode-nashi and kesa I had been wearing for two months. Only after returning home, following another two months of travelling, and reading the description on it again did I realise its actual meaning and purpose.
When I received the certificate, my initial thought was that it was purely a diploma or certificate of completion. But while it indeed certifies that you have completed the pilgrimage, it is much more a recognition of your role as an ambassador. When I realised this, I decided that I would continue to use this blog to spread the Henro culture and share the beauty of Shikoku, its people and its nature.
But that still leaves me with the dilemma of how to do this while not being on the trail myself…
And therefore, I would like to ask anyone who has stumbled upon this blog while reminiscing about their own Henro journey: Would you like to share your own story? I’d love to publish it here on the blog.
It doesn’t have to be a long or polished article. It could be a favourite memory, a person you met, a place that stayed with you, a funny incident, a meal you still remember, or a Henro house that made your journey special.
And to those finding this blog while preparing for their pilgrimage: I can publish your pilgrimage stories here, so your friends and family can follow along. I can also make you a blog contributor.
If you have a story you’d like to share, just leave a comment or get in touch through the contact page. Tell me what you’d like to write about, and we’ll take it from there. I’ll be happy to help—consider it my personal form of osettai! I really hope someone wants to make use of this opportunity and become a fellow Henro Ambassador. In the meantime, I’ll share some more stories from my own experiences in the coming months.
Please look forward to reading them.
