Japan Travel: Roots of Buddhism, Kobo Daishi's Feet at the Okunoin Temple in Wakayama 19

Japan Travel: Roots of Buddhism, Kobo Daishi’s Feet at the Okunoin Temple in Wakayama 19

Okunoin, located on Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture, is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most important figures in the Japanese Buddhism. It is believed Kobo Daishi has not passed away, but rather is in an eternal state of meditation as he awaits Miroku Nyorai (Maihreya), the Buddha of the Future. Okunoin is one of the most sacred places in Japan and a popular pilgrimage spot.

The Ichinohashi Bridge (literally translated to “first bridge”) marks the traditional entrance to Okunoin. Therefore visitors should bow to pay respect to Kobo Daishi before crossing the bridge. On the other side of the bridge is Okunoin’s cemetery, the largest in Japan, with over 200,000 tombstones. The tombstones line the almost two kilometer long walkway to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Over the years, many prominent monks and feudal lords have had their tombstones erected along this path in the desire to be close to Kobo Daishi in death to receive salvation.

There is a second, shorter approach to Okunoin, which is used by the majority of visitors these days. The journey begins at the Okunoin-mae bus stop and reduces the walk to the mausoleum to slightly under a kilometer.

Visitors will find the Torodo Hall (Hall of Lamps) is Okunoin’s main hall for worship, built in front of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. The hall contains more than 10,000 lanterns, which were donated by worshipers. The lanterns are kept eternally lit. In the hall’s basement are 50,000 tiny statues that have been donated to Okunoin for the 1150th anniversary of Kobo Daishi’s entrance into eternal meditation in 1984.

Behind Torodo Hall is Kobo Daishi’s Mausoleum (Gobyo), the site of his eternal meditation. Visitors come from all over to pray to Kobo Daishi. Visitors may find pilgrims chanting sutras here as well.

【The Best Savings–Ultimate Japan Coupon Site Moopon】
Official Website :
facebook：

【Our Sister YouTube Channel】
The Best Japan Trip ・Useful Information in Japan（English）：
旅日首選旅館、飯店、餐飲及娛樂・旅日精選景點（中文繁体）：
旅日首选旅馆、饭店、餐饮及娱乐・旅日精选景点（中文簡体)：
Wisata terbaik Jepang Informasi di Jepang（Bahasa Indonesia)：
日本のおすすめ旅館・ホテル・レジャー・飲食店・日本のオススメ観光地（Japanese）：