The temples still on my to-do list consisted mostly of remote Kochi or Ehime locations, as well as a number of the final temples in Kagawa. I decided that I wanted to finish with number 88 and so began travelling to Kochi and Ehime on weekends. Of course, with as much driving between temples as there was I could only manage 6 or 7 in a weekend - and so the pressure was really on to sacrifice my days off and get out there.
Big Buddha.
I wrote an article about this final stage of my pilgrimage for the Awa Life newsletter - you can read it and check out the pictures here: http://www.topia.ne.jp/_files/00005814/AwaLife201308.pdf
The feeling I got upon entering the final temple though, was magical. My heart was racing and yet I was as happy and calm as I have ever been. After getting my book signed for the final time, I wrote my wishes on a little piece of paper and tied them to a wire in the courtyard breathing in the air and letting a feeling of completeness wash over me. It was a lot of work - lots of driving and walking up/down stairs plus it cost me around $300 AUD just for the calligraphies alone (not to mention fuel, food and accommodation along the way), but it's something that I am immensely glad I put the effort into.
The wishing wire at Temple 88.
John, writing down his wish at the final temple.
Pleased as punch just having finished the Shikoku 88!!!
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