The entrance of the Hasedera temple is really beautiful. Red Lantern and Pine tree at the entrance create a peaceful ambiance.
Ryo-en-Jizo, a group of little Jizoes are here to welcome all visitors.
Jizo-do hall. Here Fu-ku-jyu Jizo is enshrined. Jizo is a Buddhist saint who saves people and protects children.
So people come here to pray for easy childbirth and prosperity.
You will be amazed to see thousands of little jizos . It is believed that these jizos help the souls of deceased children to reach paradise.
Kannon-do hall… Here you can see the magnificent statue of Hase Kanon. kanon is the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
It is one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan.
In 721 AD two 11 headed kanon statues are made from a single sacred camphor tree near the village of Hase in the Nara region.
The statue carved from the lower part of the trunk was enshrined in the Hasedera Temple in Nara and the statue from the upper half was thrown into the sea with a prayer that it would re-appear to save the people.
It is one of the largest wooden Buddhist statues in Japan.
In 721 AD two 11 headed kanon statues are made from a single sacred camphor tree near the village of Hase in the Nara region.
The statue carved from the lower part of the trunk was enshrined in the Hasedera Temple in Nara and the statue from the upper half was thrown into the sea with a prayer that it would re-appear to save the people.
see Amida –do-hall. The golden seated statue of Amida Buddha is enshrined here. It is 2.8 meters long. It is believed that the statue was made in 1194 to expel evil spirits and offer protection against misfortune.
see Amida –do-hall. The golden seated statue of Amida Buddha is enshrined here. It is 2.8 meters long. It is believed that the statue was made in 1194 to expel evil spirits and offer prThe bell is rung 108 times around midnight on New Year eve to eliminate the 108 sufferings of humanity. This ritual is called Joya no Kane.
(Inari-Sha) Kakigara Inari…
Legend says that the kanon statue appeared floating on the sea by the guidance of “Kakigara”(Oyster Shells) attached to it.
This Inari-Sha was established to enshrine the Kakigara and to receive the divine guidance of Kanon.
Kanon museum is there.
You can see the vibrant colors of Hydrangea. You will find 40 types of Hydrangea here. During the rainy season, Hydrangea is full-bloomed.
Far away you can see Yui ga hama and Zai mo kuza beaches.
Kyozo is a space for storing Buddhist scriptures.
Shoin Hall (a Shakyo practice hall with a rock garden) and here is Daikoku-do-hall. Daikokuten is believed to give success in life and business.
In the same place, you will find Benten-do-hall. Fukutoku-Benzaiten is the goddess of music and wisdom.
the most exciting part of the Hasedera temple is Benten-Kutsu-Cave.
It is believed this is the place where Kobo Daishi the Japanese Buddhist saint practiced in solitude. Benzaiten and her 16 followers are chiseled on the rock walls.
This place is so mysterious. So please visit Hasedera temple to indulge yourself in beautiful nature and peace.

#hasederatemple #Kamakura #Japan

AloJapan.com