The Body, the Mind, the Pilgrimage Shikoku Island is an expanse that is regarded sacred by the people of Japan. The island holds its spot as the birthplace of Kobo Daishi, Japanese Shingon Buddhism’s founder, and encompasses legends and historical landmarks that represent the incredible pilgrimage that thousands have undergone. This sacred land provides a connection to Kobo Daishi as you follow the path he took in his search for enlightenment, knowledge, and the truth. I believe these historical landmarks pull people around the world to travel and aid in the path of the eight-eight temples, allowing those to better understand the premise of the Kobo Daishi’s teachings of ‘body-mind’ and Dainichi Nyorai. The Shikoku pilgrimage takes place around the circumference of the Japanese island of Shikoku, giving thousands of people the opportunity to visualize the body and mind in a way like no other. Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai, conceives that man is not separated when it comes to body and mind, but rather they are one through the concept of “body-mind.” His premise is that our mind in its essence is united with the mind of Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha and essence of the universe. This also includes our body, in which that it is, so long as it is in the universe, part of the body of Dainichi Nyorai (Ellwood 91). The Shikoku pilgrimage exemplifies a true test of body and mind, allowing the pilgrims to understand the union of these aspects that make up our entirety. This pilgrimage also allows those to explore and experience the “oneness” of the all things by exploring Kobo Daishi’s meditative sectors on the basis of the Shingon doctrines. This long period of time the pilgrimage allows helps one to reach for “unshakeable concentration in the oneness of body and mind.” It is a test of a person’s will and determination to find their own truth, such as Kobo Daishi had once done long ago (Turkington). The expansive island gave Kobo Daishi a grandiose amount of space to discover the truth he was searching for. His travels led him to many places, and legends say that every temple dedicated to the pilgrimage was a place he visited on his journey. Dainichi is the center figure in mandalas and paintings in the Shingon sect of Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Dainichi is essentially in all the temples within the pilgrimage, exemplifying to the people of the importance of its teachings. Through their travels to specific sites such as the temples of Ryozenji and Dainichji, pilgrims illuminate themselves with Dainchi Nyorai. This constant exposure to the body-mind of oneself allows one to come closer to achieving ones goal, whatever it may be. Finding one’s true self was found to be the most prominent of goals among the people of the pilgrimage, and being surrounding by an aura of “oneness” aids with the philosophical thought process one undergoes to move towards that goal. Those on this journey are not the only ones that acquire philosophical exposer, for those who aid these pilgrims on their journey encounter exceptional experiences in finding the truth. Oneness is also pursued by those who help these pilgrims on their journey. Understanding oneself and the concept of body-mind requires a mindset of understanding the importance of others as well. Man and Dainichi Nyorai are one, and aiding those in search for the truth consists of also aiding yourself. Kobo Daishi meditated in a cave on Cape Muroto, and he did not leave until he reached enlightenment two years later. He adopted the name Kukai (Ku = Sky: Kai = Ocean) for all he saw when he looked out was the sky and the ocean. He dedicated his life to all mankind after this event, and would later become one of the most famous and well-respected individuals of Japan. Those who aid others on this journey are taking a step in following Kukai’s dedication. The help others give to one another brings them closer to finding the truth, and help others do the same. The island of Shikoku brings those who search for a larger understanding of the world and themselves together. Unity of one’s body and mind is almost foreign to many in the world, which is why undergoing this pilgrimage exposes us to the idea of “oneness” and body-mind. Philosophical understanding of Shingon doctrines and Dainichi Nyorai is right in front of us, and the geographical pilgrimage of Shikoku Island and its landmarks is our guide to finding the truth. Kobo Daishi is the personification of what it means to discover enlightenment in this physical universe, and did so through walking the first path of the Shikoku pilgrimage. Kukai has provided geographical landmarks for us to follow, and gives us the opportunity to dive into what I believe is a deeper understanding of ourselves and the unifying forces of Dainichi Nyorai.

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Work Cited
Turkington, Dave. "Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island." Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island. Accessed December 9, 2014. http://www.shikokuhenrotrail.com/shikoku/pilgrimageoverview.html.

Ellwood, Robert S. Introducing Japanese Religion. New York: Routledge, 2008.