Difference between revisions of "Kongō-zue"
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| − | The''' kongō-zue''' or '''kongō-jō''' (金剛杖?) is the wooden [[staff]] carried by [[yamabushi]] and the henro (or [[pilgrim]]) on the {{Wiki|Shikoku}} 88 [[temple]] [[pilgrimage]] in [[Japan]]. | + | The''' [[kongō-zue]]''' or '''[[kongō-jō]]''' ([[金剛杖]]?) is the wooden [[staff]] carried by [[yamabushi]] and the [[[henro]] (or [[pilgrim]]) on the {{Wiki|Shikoku}} 88 [[temple]] [[pilgrimage]] in [[Japan]]. |
| − | The kongō-zue is said to represent the [[body]] of [[Kōbō Daishi]] and to support the henro along the way; as such it is treated with [[respect]], having its "feet" washed and being brought inside at the end of each day's journey. | + | The [[kongō-zue]] is said to represent the [[body]] of [[Kōbō Daishi]] and to support the [[henro]] along the way; as such it is treated with [[respect]], having its "feet" washed and being brought inside at the end of each day's journey. |
| − | It is inscribed with the [[chant]] Namu-Daishi-Henjō-Kongō and Dōgyō-Ninin or "We two | + | It is inscribed with the [[chant]] [[Namu-Daishi-Henjō-Kongō]] and [[Dōgyō-Ninin]] or "[[We two pilgrims together]]". |
By another [[tradition]] it is carried aloft when crossing a bridge so that it does not {{Wiki|touch}} the ground and wake [[Kōbō Daishi]]. | By another [[tradition]] it is carried aloft when crossing a bridge so that it does not {{Wiki|touch}} the ground and wake [[Kōbō Daishi]]. | ||
| − | [[Pilgrims]] leave their Kongō-zue at Ōkubo-ji, the final [[temple]], upon completion of the circuit. | + | [[Pilgrims]] leave their [[Kongō-zue]] at [[Ōkubo-ji]], the final [[temple]], upon completion of the circuit. |
| − | There is an occasional funerary practice in {{Wiki|Shikoku}} and other parts of [[Japan]] whereby the decedent is dressed as a [[pilgrim]] and placed in the casket along with a [[staff]] and nōkyō-chō for their final journey. | + | There is an occasional funerary practice in {{Wiki|Shikoku}} and other parts of [[Japan]] whereby the decedent is dressed as a [[pilgrim]] and placed in the casket along with a [[staff]] and [[nōkyō-chō]] for their final journey. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | [[Category:Buddhist Pilgrimages]] | ||
Revision as of 03:45, 8 February 2016
The kongō-zue or kongō-jō (金剛杖?) is the wooden staff carried by yamabushi and the [[[henro]] (or pilgrim) on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage in Japan.
The kongō-zue is said to represent the body of Kōbō Daishi and to support the henro along the way; as such it is treated with respect, having its "feet" washed and being brought inside at the end of each day's journey.
It is inscribed with the chant Namu-Daishi-Henjō-Kongō and Dōgyō-Ninin or "We two pilgrims together".
By another tradition it is carried aloft when crossing a bridge so that it does not touch the ground and wake Kōbō Daishi.
Pilgrims leave their Kongō-zue at Ōkubo-ji, the final temple, upon completion of the circuit.
There is an occasional funerary practice in Shikoku and other parts of Japan whereby the decedent is dressed as a pilgrim and placed in the casket along with a staff and nōkyō-chō for their final journey.
