What is Henro?

Q:WHAT IS HENRO?
A:The pligrimage known as Shikoku Henro or O-Shikoku-san is the oldest and most famous in Japan. Circumambulating the island via the 88 Buddhist temples designated as the Sacred Places of Shikoku is meant to follow the trail Kobo Daishi (Kukai) walked in his youth for ascetic practice, searching for the Truth.

That is why the authentic pligrims go on foot as the great saint did long ago. It takes about 60 days to hike the 1,647 km, going deep into rugged mountains, pludding along sandy beaches, rocky coasts, through fields and hills, villages and towns. Indeed, it is a walking Zen.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is nonsectarian, thrugh Kukai was the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Pilgrims seem to forget their Buddhist sects in worshiping Kobo Daishi who stands far beyond factionalism. Not all of the 88 temples are of the Shingon sect, either. It is impossible to discuss this pilgrimage without recounting the life of Kukai.

URL sources and Video content and explanation is avairable at:
in English:
http://shikokuhenro.10-yen.net/info/
http://www.waoe.org/steve/shikoku/pilgrimage.html
http://www.waoe.org/steve/global.html
http://www.waoe.org/steve/shikoku/index.html

in French:
http://www.waoe.org/steve/french_shikoku/index.html

in Spanish:
http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/operatic/294/gshikoku.htm

in Japanese:
http://www.maenaem.com/henroa/