Temple 1 - Ryozenji

The first temple is probably the best stocked, as many groups and individuals start from here. There is a huge parking lot filled with tour buses full of Japanese groups, but also couples and singles, and gringos like us. We had to take a little train to get there, getting off at Bando station near Naruto. One kilometre up the road, past the pre-school of waving children and teachers, and there it was. 

The temple was founded in the 7th Century, and is filled with characters that came from a sacred mountain in India where Buddha himself gave sermons. It was a good place from which to start. We were lucky to arrive just when one of the groups did, and so were able to sit in on the lady monk's prayers for safe travels. I got myself kitted out with sash, Buddha beads, and an excellent publication in English that detailed the entire route and other information, including the Heart Sutra that was to be said in front of the main temple upon arrival. Just after banging the bell that is. Buddha does love to know you're there. 

this must be it

first, one must purify onself

then one must find the main temple and complete
a variety of sutra readings, which have been
phonetically translated from the Sanskrit

inside the main temple

coy/koi carp

not too sure what the panda symbolizes here!

lovely water features 

even water under your path

and the sound of water everywhere on this hot day