Walk to Temple 13 – Dainichiji
The day started great but got hard quickly. The place I am staying woke me up at 6 am and prepared breakfast for me. I paid for dinner and breakfast as it was part of the price. I took some pictures of my hosts then began the hike. There was a fork in the road, one...
Temple 12 – Shosanji
The hike started with me seeing lots of people with the white clothing of the pilgrims. The beginning of the walk was great as I just watched the countryside moved along. The mountains got bigger and we were soon winding in valleys with a river beside us. The views...
The Long Walk.
Its been tough today. There were more open areas without the protection of trees from the sun. I think I’m more burned then yesterday. For some reason my back pack is heavier then yesterday. I’m so hot, when I squish my shirt; water comes out. I’m dehydrated because...
Anrakuji Temple – 安楽寺 (6)
While walking, someone booked me in to sleep at this temple. The cost was steep at 6,000¥ but included dinner and breakfast. It was a place to sleep and something to fill my belly. I arrived tired and burned from the sun. All I wanted to do is shower and sit. That was...
Shikoku Pilgrimage (四国遍路)
I walked from Temple 1 to Temple 6 or 35 KM or more. My feet hurt. I’m burned from the sun. I feel absolutely amazing. It’s a spirit journey for me and weaving around farmers fields, bamboo forests and small villages it has been enlightening. The temples...
Last day teaching the novices
Me Teaching in the temple. I knew it was going to be a rough morning. Saying good bye is always tough especially when it’s your students you are saying good bye too. I walked out of the guesthouse and they hadn’t started collecting alms yet. All of my...
In Awe!
Where I am sitting in Wat Sirimungkhun as the rain is coming down. Across is where the Novices (Monks-in-training). I’m at Wat Sirimungkhun Sayaram across from my guesthouse. It’s also the place where I have been teaching some lower leveled students along...
Boun Chanh, 16 year old Monk
I was walking around yesterday when I came across a beautiful Wat (Buddhist temple or monastery) I forget the name but it was similar to the rest I have seen. There was a boy sitting near the entrance of the temple. He had an English Exercise book so I sat beside him...
DPRK in 2008
In 2008, I was lucky enough to enter North Korea by crossing from the South for one day.