May 10 cont...(10km walk, 180 drive)
I knew we had driven quite a way from Temple 26, where O'Sha San had picked me up, so we were closer to Temple 27 but I was still dismayed when, after walking 2 kms or so, there was a sign saying Temple 27 was 22kms away.
After another hour of walking in the drizzle, I was already starting to feel weary (late night writing and early morning wake up) so I started looking for a bus stop, buying some tomatoes from a roadside stall so I could have a tomato sandwhich for dinner.
I was just coming into the next little township when a car pulled up beside me. It was O'Sha San and Narabe San who indicated that I get in. What a relief!! I was so happy to see them.
They drove me to Temple 27, got out with me and took me through their rituals. As we were heading back to the car, Narabe San attempted to teach me part of the sutras. I don’t know the actual name but he called it Hanya Shinkyo. When I realized what he was talking about, I showed him the photocopy Taichi San had made for me. He was pleased. He asked for a pen and drew brackets around the last 5 lines – which was what he had been trying to teach me.
At least we were now literally on the same page.
When we were in the car, he got me to recite it with him over and over. It went like this…Gya Tei Gya Tei Ha Ra Gya Tei, Ha Ra Sou Gya Tei, Bo Ji So Wa Ka – Han Ya Shim Gyou.
He was really patient and while he and O'Sha San talked and laughed, I kept mouthing it in the back seat over and over until I had memorized it.
I asked about buses and Narabe San pointed to OSha San and said “He drive you San Ju Ban” (Temple 30).
I arigatoed myself to tears. What a surprise! They laughed.
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