"Potalaka: The Pure Land", a book by Tatsuyuki Okamoto
Henro Pilgrimage in Japan
AgeVenture News Service
Tatsuyuki Okamoto's book, "Potalaka", presents a photographic record of Henro pilgrims who journey to a sacred island to commune with nature in what has been known for ten centuries as "the pure land".
"Henro" means both pilgrimage and pilgrim of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands. People from all walks of life, Buddhists, those suffering from an ailment or anxiety, and those who intend to "find their way" come to make pilgrimages to the island's 88 sacred temples, as they have done for over 1000 years. They are drawn by the awesome experience. To truly know the power of the pilgrmage, you must take the journey yourself because those who have returned say it is "too overwhelming for words". Thousands of people visit the Shikoku island daily.
Rugged mountain ranges cover the island, making the complex and mysterious seashore. Originally, Henro was for praying to Potalaka beyond the sea, the Pure Land of Buddha referring to the goal of liberation from suffering.
When Henro pilgrims go along the borderline between the mountains and sea, they meet the wonder of nature, like the falls, big trees and caves. From a cliff they look up to the sun, and go around a big tree and rocks many times, finally experiencing the unity of nature. When they identify themselves with nature that overpowers them, their egos will dissolve and be gone. This spirtitual process is more important than the pilrgrim's physical destination.
Oliver Statler said the following in his book "Japanese Pilgrimage". This Shikoku pilgrimage is the only pilgrimage I know of that is essentially a circle. It has no beginning and end. Like the quest for enlightenment, it is unending. The religious significance of the peripatetic journey of the Shikoku circuit lies in the particular circular pattern of reactivation of the cosmological force inherent in the human structure.
Henro pilgrims draw the picture of Potalaka in their minds, so they can share the soul that has come from ancient ancestors to lead them in becoming one with the universal being who is released from everything. Tatsu believes this passage to becoming a "universal being" is possible not only in the Shikoku islands but also anywhere in the world, regardless of your religion. The photography in his books intend to illustrate this universal ability to transcend oneself by communing with nature.
Meet the author, Tatsuyuki Okamoto, an award-winning Japanese photographer. CLICK HERE.
For availability of "Potalaka: The Pure Land" (ISBN4-7713-0314-2), check your local bookstore, or contact the author.
For additional information, contact:
Tatsuyuki Okamoto
4-5-26 Kami-Osaki #4-401
Shinagawa, Tokyo 141-0021 JAPAN
TEL&FAX: 81-3-3495-4217
E-mail: isaacs@kk.iij4u.or.jp
Internet: Tatsuyuki Okamoto
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging.
Submit reader comments to:
demko@demko.com
This column may be used, free-of-charge, by print and broadcast media with the following attribution:"David Demko, AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com"
Please see "Permissions" procedure on the AgeVenture HOME PAGE.
AgeVenture News Service, 19432 Preserve Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com