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A look back at Houshi's 1,300 year history
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Taicho Daishi (great teacher of Buddhism) Guided by logger Gengoro
Sasakiri, in 717 noted priest Taicho hiked high up Mt. Hakusan,
a sacred and isolated mountain. While Taicho was asleep one night
after beginning his rigorous training exercises, the deity of Hakusan
appeared in his dream, saying: |
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"Lying 20-24 kilometers from the base of the mountain is a village
called Awazu. There, you'll find an underground hot spring with
wondrous restorative powers that Yakushi Nyorai (the Physician of
Souls) has bestowed upon it. The people of the village, however,
do not known of this good fortune. Descend the mountain and head
to Awazu. With the people of the village unearth the hot spring-it
will serve them forever." |
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As he had been commanded, Taicho made his way down to the village
and sought the help of its people in uncovering the treasure that
lay beneath the earth's surface. He had the sick immerse themselves
in its waters-and their health was immediately restored. Taicho
then ordered Garyo Houshi, his disciple, to build and run a spa
at the site. |
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After fulfilling the commands of the deity, Taicho continued with
his intensive training and experienced satori (a state of intuitive
illumination). Rumors of his occult powers even found their way
to the Imperial Court in Nara, helping make Taicho the respected
Etsu no Daitoku. (Great Man of Virtue from Etsu). As this story
reveals, the origins of Houshi-now the oldest inn in the world-are
truly divine. |
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