When you visit the Gohyaku-rakan, or 500 disciples of Buddha, it is said that after spending some time there you find yourself.

Nestled outside the Chokeiji Temple in the Kureha Hills, the 500 disciples of Buddha statues stand in quiet reverence next to each other overlooking Toyama City as if stoically protecting it.

While looking at the many faces of Buddha almost two years ago, an old woman informed me that if you touch them and feel a warmth coming from them it indicates that they are your ancestors.

After touching scores of Buddhas and getting nothing but a cold return, I finally placed my hands on one and there was a warmth emanating from it. 

Not one to refuse a photo opt, I placed my hands on the Buddha ready to smile but I accidentally touched the Buddha next to it. From it, I also felt an incredible warmth.

 

I may not have found myself that day, and those many not have really been my ancestors, but that little Toyama myth had made me exceedingly happy that day.