Kokubun-ji
A Kokubun-ji refers to a type of temple in Japan. By order of the Japanese Tennōs Shōmu in 741 , a system of state-sponsored Buddhist monasteries was established throughout Japan. In each province there should be a male monastery for monks ( 国 分 寺 , kokubunji , dt. About: "provincial temple" or rarely: 国 分 僧寺 , kokubunsōji , "provincial monk temple ") and a female monastery for nuns ( 国 分 尼 寺 , kokubunnonniji , kokubunentempel , "") erected, whose prayers should be directed to the good of the state.
They should bring prosperity to the state and the population and, above all, protection from disasters such as earthquakes, fires and crop failures.
The Tōdai-ji in Nara , the provincial temple of Yamato Province , served as the main temple for all Kokubunji and the Hokke-ji served as the main temple for all Kokubunniji .
The words Kokubunji , Kokubun or Kokubu have been used in place names to this day, for example:
- Kokubunji , Kagawa Prefecture,
- Kokubu , Kagoshima Prefecture ,
- Kokubunji-chō, Satsumasendai , Kagoshima Prefecture,
- Kokubunji, Kita-ku , Osaka , Osaka Prefecture,
- Kokubunji , Tochigi Prefecture and
- Kokubunji , Tokyo Prefecture.
