Ishiteji, the Rock Hand temple (temple 51)
After a full day of hiking, visiting temple 49 and temple 50, I arrived in Ishiteji,
temple 51, in late afternoon. Ishiteji was a fascinating temple. The name of the
temple goes back to a story of a child being born with a stone in his hand. The stone
had the name Emon Saburō incised and stated that the baby was the incarnation of
Emon Saburō ,who was the first pilgrim of the 88 temple way. In the 9th century,
he was looking for Kūkai for many years.
The whole temple area had a mysterious atmosphere with unusual statues and
monuments all around.
A powerful Dragon with Kannon Bosatsu standing on its head, located at the
entrance of Ishiteji
Entrance gate to Ishiteji. Before entering into the temple area, one has to bow, facing the main hall
One of the fascinating places in Ishiteji, a place full of little pebble stones
People who want a child donate a stone with the name of the baby they wish for. They
also can take an existing stone, which was donated after the child was born (with
name and weight of the baby written on it) and take it home as a good luck symbol.
People touched each of the 88 white bags when walking around a square building.
The 88 bags symbolize the 88 temples of Shikoku and bring merit by touching it.
All over Shikoku there are mini Shikoku-no-michi, Path of Shikoku, ranging from
really short ones to pilgrimages that can last several days.
Heavy incense smoke was rising constantly from this incense holder.
The smoke is considered as having healing properties.
In the back of the temple, there was cave like walkway full with mysterious little
statues. Only a dim light was illuminating the place. I was the only one there.
The cave was leading out to a street and to the Mantra Tower. Everything was
weird at this site.
The Mantra Tower with 2 lions right and left from the entrance and two stone hands in the front
The Mantra Tower expresses the universe of Dainichi Nyorai. He is the Maha-
vairocana Buddha also known as the Great Illuminating Buddha or Buddha’s
Dharma body. The Mantra on the pillar in front shows the inscription “Om A-vi-ra-
kham-vajra-dhatu Vam, translated as “Om Earth-Water-Fire-Air-Space-
Realm. Vam”, “diamond” here meaning the indestructible Buddha-heart or wisdom.
Buddha practicing severe asceticism with a western looking face
Many carved wooden statues with strong, often serious facial expressions surrounded
this statue.
The statue of Kōbō Daishi on the top of the hill behind Ishiteji
It is the tallest existing statue of him.
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