Numerous highlights today kept us entertained. Iya Valley displayed its steep V shape and azure coloured river scampering over white rocks. The climb up Unpenji mountain was a lovely way to meditate about the wisdom of monks building a temple at the top.
Up (雲辺寺) is the 66th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, built on top of Unpenji Mountain in Shikoku. It is the highest point of the entire pilgrimage. It is also called the “Koya of Shikoku” – a place where monks in the past can study the landscape from a high panoramic point of view. Maybe they took the cable car (Japan’s fastest) to reach Nirvana sooner
Unpenji has a wondrous display of 500 Arhat stone statues. According to Buddhist legends, Arhats are saints who gathered for the Councils when Buddha reached Nirvana. Each status has its own unique physical features, emotional expressions, and pose. Some of them are dancing happily, some are still and stoic, and some are angry. I remembered the scary Dr Who story “Weeping Angels” and tried not to blink. Difficult when the ride’s sweat was still running.
It was all downhill from there apart from when it wasn’t. A really cute combine harvester rounded the day off.
High up on the mountain so steep,
Where the forest is ancient and deep,
Sits the “Temple in the Sky,”
Where the pilgrims hike high,
And the ascending cyclists weep. (with joy).
Travelling reflections 