I was walking home when I saw, up in the distance, four Buddhist priests dressed in purple and gold robes. "Hey, Amy!" they called to me. "We hope you don't mind that we tied our boat up next to yours in front of your house," one said, pointing to their 30-foot (9-meter) motorboat tied to the dock. No problem, I assured them. These priests from the neighboring islands know they are welcome anytime.
The priests turned and proceeded to walk up to the Bussharito, a Thai-style temple where there would be a special ceremony in another hour.
The Bussharito on Shiraishi Island is said to hold some of Buddha's ashes. This temple is so sacred that they only open it once a year for visitors. That day is Nov. 15 of every year, during the Bussharito Festival.