On April 10th, the head priest of Houou-in Temple, Mr. Terakawa, came to pick us up at Itami Station in Osaka and we headed to Awaji Island by car.

We arrived at Nikkoji Temple, which was founded by Prince Shotoku in 613 AD. On the right side of the vast grounds, we were greeted by Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. On the left was a statue of Prince Shotoku.

We go further in and are awed by a pair of 750-year-old Japanese cypress trees standing next to the main hall.

Shiozawa spoke with the chief priest, Morita Shunkan, about the possibility of welcoming Chinese monks who are sincerely interested in spreading Buddhism to abandoned temples on Awaji.

Shiozawa and the head priest Terakawa brainstormed ideas, such as teaching Chinese and other foreigners about Japanese cultural etiquette, or providing a place where children who are not attending school or have mental illnesses can grow vegetables and nourish their souls.

We believe that if Awaji temple aims to be one that takes the lead in providing what Japan needs right now, then even if the chief priest is foreign, we can gain the understanding of the local people if he is supported by Japanese Buddhist monks.

On April 11th, we visited Izanagi Shrine, which was founded in ancient times.

In Japanese mythology, when the world was yet empty, the seventh generation of gods, Izanagi and Izanami, made a promise to each other, and Awaji Island was said to be the first island to be born in the creation of the country.

In other words, it is a shrine dedicated to Izanagi-no-Mikoto, which has been regarded as a sacred place for the creation of the country since ancient times.

Here too, there is a sacred tree, a pair of large camphor trees, a natural monument that is 900 years old. The two trees stand tall and joined at the base, giving the place a divine presence.

Awaji Island, located at 135 degrees east longitude, is said to have a powerful purifying effect. A straight line of ley lines stretches out from the island, with ancient ruins and shrines standing on them. Tomorrow we will head north from Awaji Island in a straight line of 135 degrees to Miki City.