The Kumano Kudo

The walk of the pilgrims

through the arduous kii mountains.
A journey that cleanses sins,
removes burning desires
and purifies the soul.

Walking and praying,
the pilgrims call upon the spirits of the forest.
Messages from the ghosts of pilgrims past
echo in each step and in each breath.

The sacred 3-legged crow soars above,
showing the true path,
guiding the way on.

Honggu Shrine, Nachi Shrine

The Nakamechi trail,
through the Kumano Sanzen,
the walk of the 3 mountain shrines,
Honggu, Nachi and Natayama.

130km of mountain trail.
130km of time to think and pray.
From oji to oji, on and on they go.
the burning sun scorching,
the rain water pouring.

A test of endurance
To show that each step is merely a step.



So that when they prostrate themselves before God
The God of self
Ringing the bells in front of the temple doors
the prayers are pure
resonating from deep within,
in all pureness and goodness.




And prayers are answered,
not as a mocking reward for the painful journey,
but as a gift of self discovery
Because through the meditation of the walk,
the true self is revealed.

And we realize that what we want is what we already have.
That which is within and had been with us all along.