Zenkoji temple is the most important and popular temple of Nagano, Japan. In the 6th-century Buddhism was introduced in Japan and the first Buddhist statue of Japan was brought here in the 7th century. Zenkoji temple was built in 642 when Yoshumitsu Honda enshrined an image of Amida Buddha here. The main image was created in India and brought to Japan via Korea.
The main Buddha image is a hibutsu, a hidden Buddha statue. It is believed that this hibutsu is the first buddha statue brought to Japan. But the original statue is hidden and a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks. The period is known as Gokaicho.
Next year you will get the opportunity to see it. From 3rd April to May 22 you can see the replica of the Amida budda enshrined in zenkoji temple.
The meaning of the Zenkoji means Yoshimitsu’s temple.
Here is the Niomon Gate. You can see Nio guardians. They protect the compound from enemies of Buddhism. These two statues were reconstructed in 1918 after a fire.
Here is Rokujizō. The Rokujizō are statues of the six Bodhisattvas.
Here is Sanmon Gate. It has an important cultural significance. It contains five wooden Buddhist statues which is hidden from the public.
In front of me is the main hall. It is one of the largest wooden temples of Japan.
This is the incense burner. Visitors take the incense smoke over their bodies for good health and fortune.
I will recommend you to come early in the morning to see the Zenkoji’s early morning prayer. It is called Oasaji. You can experience the true magic of the temple.
Here is Obinzuru statue. Obinzuru was one of the disciples of Buddha.
As the hall is closed so lights are turned off and due to that, all Buddhist statues are not visible. Even I can not see the main altar and the pitch-black corridor under the temple. So I am really upset. I can just pray from the outside of the main hall area.
Zenkoji Temple | Nagano |Japan
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