Enko-ji

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Main hall
Plan of the temple (see text)

The Enkō-ji ( Japanese 延光 寺 ), with the Go Shakkizan (赤 亀 山) and Jisanin (寺 山 院) in the city of Sukumo ( Kōchi Prefecture ), is a temple of the Buzan branch (豊 山 派) of Shingon Buddhism . In the traditional count, it is the 39th temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage route .

history

The Enkō-ji was created in 724 by Priest Gyōki under the name "Kikakuzan Seyakuin Hōkōji" (亀 鶴山 施 薬 院 宝光寺). The main cult figure, a standing Yakushi Nyorai made of wood (木造 薬 師 如 立 像, Mokuzō Yakushi Nyorai ritsuzō), is said to have been made by Gyōki. In 795 priest Kūkai visited the ruined temple and took care of its restoration and called it now "Shakkizan Jizanin Enkōji" (赤 亀 山 寺 山 院 延光 寺).

investment

The main entrance to the temple leads via a staircase to the temple gate, which is designed here as a Niō gate (仁王 門, Niō-mon; 1), as a gate with space for the two temple guards to the right and left of the passage. On the right you can see the stone "Red Turtle" (a) with the bell on its back on a stone, on the left the statue of the priest Shugyō Daishi (修行 大師; b). On the far left is the temple bell (鐘楼, Shōrō; 2) in its frame.

If you go further, you will reach the hall, which is dedicated to the temple founder, the Daishidō (大師 堂; 3). If you turn right, you stand in front of the main hall (本 堂, Hondō; 4). It is connected to the abbot and monks quarters by a corridor. In between there is the "eye wash spring" (目 洗 い 井 戸, Mearai ido; c), which is said to have been created by Kūkai: its water is said to help with eye problems. There is also a pond and then a pavilion that refers to the Kumano shrine, the "Kumano jūni shagū" (熊 野 十二 社 宮, 5). Between the Daishidō and the main hall, a staircase leads up to the small Gomadō (護 摩 堂; 6), to the hall that is dedicated to the Goma ceremony.

Treasures

The temple treasures include a small bell with a height of only 33.5 cm. Legend has it that a red turtle brought this bell to the temple on its back. There is an inscription on the rim that identifies 911 as the year of casting. It is thus the oldest in the prefecture, is registered as an important cultural asset of Japan and is also one of the old bells at the national level. Another treasure is a picture of Fudō-Myōō (不 動 明王 画像), which is usually called "Laughing Fudō" (笑 い 不 動), according to tradition a gift from Emperor Seiwa .

photos

  • Daishidō

  • Eye wash source

  • Garden with pond

  • Old Ibuki

literature

  • Kōchi-ken kotogakko kyoiku kenkyukai rekishi bukai (Ed.): Enko-ji . In: Kōchi-ken no rekishi sampo. Yamakawa Shuppan, 2006, ISBN 978-4-634-24639-3 , page 276.
  • Oguri, Doei: Kukai. Shikoku hachijuhachi kosho no arukikata. Chukei no Bunko, 2011, ISBN 978-4-8061-4067-2 .

Web links

Commons : Enkō-ji  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 32 ° 57 ′ 40.7 "  N , 132 ° 46 ′ 26.6"  E

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