Koya-san, a monastery town, remains a living spiritual destination for 10 million followers of Esoteric Buddhism in contemporary Japan. They celebrate and honour the sect's ninth-century founder, Kobo Daishi, who, returning from studies in China, was granted land by the Imperial court near the mountain-top far from worldly distractions. The sect's founder remains in eternal meditative rest in a forested cemetery surrounded by multitudes (estimated at 200,000) of his followers.
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| trains from Kyoto traverse steep gorges |
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| transport to this remote religious centre by train, funicular, and bus |
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| our shukubo (temple lodging) in Koya-san |
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| Zen garden |
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| traditional lobby (we attended a 6:00 a.m. morning prayer service) |
The sect's historic religious and administrative centre, Kongo-buji:
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main street of Koyasan |
TODAY's HAIKU POEM
Through Japan, "IC"
(integrated circuit) cards
simplify transit.
Giorgio Coniglio
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