Program: The 88-Temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island, Japan

Program photos were very interesting. Text was not.

Thank you for a wonderful journey! I never knew that Shikoku Island existed.

Interesting topic

Love the overseas travel stuff. Rotary is a worldwide organization! I have traveled quite a bit, but never been to Japan.

Very Interesting and EDUCATIONAL.

Inteand history lessonresting program

Good program

Very well done presentation!

I have a friend who led a GSE team to a district near Tokyo and thought I might view something in this program that he had spoken of in his presentations of the trip. Well, I was overwhelmed by the details in this program, I feel enlightened. Thank you.

It was pretty neat. The temples are beutiful. One thing that I never can understand is photos are forbiden, except in this case. So I am wondering if, who else has taken photos of forbiden spots? Still a nice journey and great toshare. Thanks

It was very interesting. While not having completed the pilgrimage, I was on Shikoku in 1980 and visited some of the kakuji in the program.

Meditation is good. Making a pilgrimage to 88 temples seems impossible.

An extremely interesting program by former RECSWUSA president RYŌFŪ PUSSEL discussing the 88 temples on the Japanese island of Shikoku. Pussel gives us relevant history of Shikoku (which means "four states") Island and the Shingon Buddhist tradition there. The pilgrimmage to all 88 temples is not only an activity for spiritual development, but is also perceived as a time honored means for acquiring good karma for non-spiritual areas of one's life, including for instance good health, good family life, etc. Pussel adds informative details of Buddhist belief, such as the three treasures are :Buddha, Dharma and Sangha; Shingon Buddhism has four steps (stated here with over-simplification): 1) Faith, 2) Religious Discipline, 3) Attainment of Enlightenment, and 4) Nirvana. In addition, the belief is stated that Hardship is accepted as "supposed means for spiritual development" - which explains another motivation for undertaking the rigors of visiting all 88 temples in one pilgrimmage. From a purely Rotary perspective, Pussel's definition of a Bodhisattva as a person who has "transcended being human and is devoted to all sentient beings" would seem, at some level, to also define the truest of our fellow Rotarians. Outstanding program!!!

I was impressed by the beauty of Shikoku Island. Nothing gained, nothing lost. Everything lost, everything gained. The customs and manners when visiting a pilgrimage temple were most helpful. Interesting meeting.

I really enjoyed the 88-temple information and photos.

great info

Wow! Interesting . . .

Most informative!

wow, I will recommend this program to others, thank you!

Very interesting - the life of Kobo Kukai and the study of Buddihism. The pilgrimage on the Shikoku Island in Japan was fascinating to read about.

What an incredible pilgramage. Thank you so much for this program

What a beautiful story about "The Old Man". It brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed the presentation on the Temple Pilgrimage--the pictures really added to the story and were great to look at.

Home run1 A superb program!

Great Job Ryofu.

Great Presentation!

Very interesting presentation, and it seems almost irresponsible to not take the time to study the material.

Enjoyed Mr. Pussel story of his pilgimage. Interesting photos, also.

I love the pictures that accompany the programs. I've never been to a temple. This is a great way to see places on this earth, we would never have a chance to see otherwise.

Very cool.

Inspirational program

Great pix of Japan - I mus go there!

Great photography.

I reallly liked this program. The journey sounds amazing. Thanks.

excellent overview of buddhist pilgrimage....beautiful philosophy

The mental stimulus and relaxation must be tremendous.

Wonderful program.

Interesting as always.

Great photos. Story of oneness and meditation was moving. The story of temple #24 and how the monk practiced the discipline of meditation was truly inspiring.

I didn't realize that the children's toy, Hello Kitty came from this culture until watching this meeting.

This pilgrimage is clearly dear to Ryofu's heart and may be beneficial to physical and mental health by calming the feelings while exercising mind and body.

Very interesting and different program.

WOW! Wow! Amazing, Ryofu! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! ~Larry

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your spiritual experience.

Wonderful

Thank you, Ryofu, for this program! When I reached the end, I thought the blank page for #88 may have some higher meaning, until I realized that the numbers had shifted under the page breaks. Perhaps that has higher meaning itself. 8^) Last month, I took sixteen of my students to Japan, and we spent a night at a temple (Renge Jo-in) on Mount Koya, and it was the favorite part of the trip for many of them. Wonderful pictures and plenty to reflect upon!

Absolutely facinating. Thank you for sharing the story and pictures.

Very interesting and enlightening. Wonderful photography!

It is great to see what is important to different cultures around the world. 88 temples on one island wow. For them to take the time to be a part of the pilgrimage is great

Interesting meeting, learning about different cultures. What a wonderful accomplishment for you Ryofu. Thank you for sharing.

nice & informative program. Thank you Ryofu.

One tough act to follow! Very good

Ryofu...as always inspirational. Thanks.

Very interesting pilgrimage.

Great meeting place with interesting and thought provoking programs.

Fascinating. The commitment it takes to become a Buddhist Monk is implausible

I would love to visit even a few stops on the pilgrimage. Wonderful photos!

Wow!! I heard Ryofu talk about his journey in Salt Lake City at the RI Convention.

A wonderful journey into ever deepening spirituality & the attainment of higher consciousness....leaving duality. Thank you Ryofu. Namaste, Judy

great "old man" story Interesting program on the 88 temples pilgramage, although a bit excessive on the photos

Nothing to add, enjoyed the information

I receive a "quote of the week" every Monday, but this week's thought is the best of all!

Interesting story on Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island in Japan

Wonderful pictures, would have been nice to have them larger. One per page. Or in a PowerPoint format.

I find the Japenese culture fascinating. The ideals and dedication of the Japanese people provide a lesson for us all.

Thank you for sharing the 88-temple Pilgrimage on Shikoku Island, Japan with me. Thanks too, to Carol Anderson for sharing the "Old Man" story with me. How quickly we forget, the ones who have gone before us, to GIVE us freedom. Again, thank you.

Well presented program. More extensive than any other site I have done makeups. What an interesting experience. Thank you.

very informative, it made me think twice about helping folks in need

aabsolute incredible, beatiful descriptio and history of the temples, and the dicipline ot the Pilgrimage in Japan

very comprehensive

Thank you, Ryofu Pussel! This was the most fun and beautiful program ever! Thank you so much! Zelda

Wonderful journey giving us insight to you spiritual world. Beautiful photos.

This was a fascinatingaccount of an amazing process. Thank you so much for this detailed narrative. I was a member of a Zen Buddhist temple in Michigan for several years, which might increase my level of interest in the specifics of the journey. I learned a lot!! Tim Richards

Wonderful description of a Buddhist pilgramage. However, knowing that Ryofu is a master photographer, I was a bit disappointed that there were no pictures! ! My initial disappointment turned into delight when I saw the link for pictures at the end of the narritive. Excellent Ryofu!

This was very interesting