#Hyakudo Mairi

[tenjin-no-shinja]

百度参り Hyakudo Mairi

As explained in the post here, this is a form of pilgrimage where one visits a shrine or temple 100 times.

Basic Info

Originally it was you visit the same shrine once per day for 100 days, then it got compressed either due to people not being able to visit 100 days, or not wanting to wait that long for their prayers to be answered.

Some people believe that the quality of one's prayers improves as one's true thoughts reach kamisama, leading to the fulfillment of one's prayers. Others consider it as a practice to face one's own mind by praying about the same thing over and over again.

How to Perform Hyakudo Mairi

Decide if you will visit 100 times in one day, or visit 100 days.  There is no real difference in the effectiveness, so pick the method that's best for you.

Bring a paper money roll, during each visit one bill or coin is left at the shrine.  If there's a stone marker it's usually near the Torii gate. Folks sometimes use pebbles, sticks etc... as substitutes for offerings just make sure they're small but have some weight to avoid being blown away by the wind.

Pick a Shrine or Temple to visit, usually people will pick their local shrine (氏神神社)

Wash your hands at the temizuya and move towards the main prayer hall and bow twice, clap twice, bow once for prayer.  

Move back to the main entrance (at a shrine it would be the Torii, at a temple the main gate). Make sure if you're leaving koyori you place it discretely with consideration for others.  If there is a stone marker, one should circle it once before returning to the main shrine. The entire process of entrance-prayer hall-entrance is one cycle. 

If you're doing 100 Days, then you go home after once cycle and repeat it the next day.

Note on the Monetary Offerings: If you do bills then it would be the equivalent of 1,000¥ (≈$10) each visit for a total 100,000¥ (≈$1,000). There is another tradition regarding monetary offerings at shrines, typically one will offer a 5¥ (5円 goen) coin due to it being a homophone with Connections (ご縁 goen), you can take this one step further and offer 115¥ for extra good blessings (1-1-5 =いいご縁).

Things to Be Aware Of When Performing Hyakudo Mairi

During the pilgrimage it is believed that one should not speak at all. As it is important to pray single-mindedly without being distracted by unnecessary matters.  Turn off electronic devices.  There's also a belief that doing it barefoot enhances the effect of your prayers, as well as dressing in white.  However obviously you should be considering your safety first as broken glass and such can cause injuries. 

The pebbles, sticks etc... are used for counting repetitions, you can also use a string with markers as well if there's no stone that allows you to do so. 

It is said the wishes that are made for others and not oneself are more likely to be fulfilled.  And you absolutely should not pray for negative things to happen to others, as that will result in bad things happening to you.

When worshiping over 100 days the prayers must be consecutive, and no days can be skipped. If a day is missed you must start over from the beginning.

When your wish is granted it's important to visit the shrine or temple to give your thanks sincerely from your heart.  Also providing a monetary offering is appropriate.  Even if your wish doesn't come true, it's still good to report back to give an update about the results of your visits.

Sources

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