永平寺二回目：Eiheiji the second time around

Eiheiji is one of the largest Buddhist temples in all of Japan with a history spanning nearly 800 years. It's also less than one hour from Fukui city by car. Last week, a few other JETs and I took advantage of a Monday holiday to venture out to the temple grounds. This was actually my second trip since a couple years ago my host family took me on a road trip to Fukui. I have a few photographs from that trip on my old Japan blog. A bit of a warning: my explanations on the old blog may have some errors in them as I was often unaware of my surroundings. For example, last time I didn't even know the name of the temple until I started posting pictures online and asked my host parents where we had been.
2 years doesn't sound like much time, but a lot has happened since my last trip to the temple. My overseas study director in France used to say that in one term of study in another country a person matures 2 years faster than if he had remained in his home university. If that be the case, then my last trip to Eiheiji actually took place 6 years ago. I certainly feel much older than I did back then. Walking about the gravestones and trees, I didn't mind moving at a slower pace than before. Even the rainfall really was no nuisance.
Having always been too shy to indulge myself in over-zealous peppy song and dance rituals that people in my Evangelical background always told me was necessary to appease the Creator, I find myself most spiritual in the splendor of natural scenery or the silence of a cemetery. This is something I did not understand very well two years ago. By the time I reached the vacant main room in one section of the temple I sensed something inside me urging me to put away the camera and just rest my knees on the tatami mats for a while. I'm no priest or monk nor will I ever write inspirational guides to religious pilgrims, but I just can't escape the feeling that sometimes I really do belong on my knees.
Next to the temple is a hill that visitors can climb to get a view of the grounds. The pathway winds upward with several statues at intervals along the way. This little guy was tucked away in some bushes and we almost didn't notice him. Even Buddhas need a little siesta from time to time, it seems.
The view from above. Rain began falling on our descent just as we neared the bottom.
Fuji Climbing Partner and another friend who enjoys Karaoke a bit too much approach the door to the Buddha hall. The shrine inside honors the three Buddhas of past, present and future. A tablet above the shrine also serves as a reminder of the Buddhist calling to dedicate oneself to all sentient beings.