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Enryakuji Temple in Shiga
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Enryakuji Temple was built in 788 by the patriarch Deigyo-Daishi, SAICHO, on Mt. Hiei.
Enryakuji Temple has been one of the most important temples and the holy place for Buddhism in Japan.
Enryakuji Temple consists of many branch temples. In the golden age, Enryakuji Temple had more than a thousand branch temples.
Enryakuji Temple was supported by governments and people of nobility during the Heian Age and the temple had their manors. With such income, Enryakuji Temple had strong political influence during the middle age, as did Kofukuji Temple.
You can take a Sakamoto Cable Car from Sakamoto to Enryakuji Station.
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Hieizan Railway, Sakamoto Cable
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Enryakuji Temple has three main areas.
They are "Todo","Saito" and "Yokawa".
Among these three main areas, "Todo" is the place where SAICHO built the first temple and the most important area in Enryakuji Temple.
"Konpon Chudo" is the main hall of the Todo Area.
"Konpon Chudo" was destroyed by fires of war, a couple of times. The last reconstruction of "Konpon Chudo" was in 1641 by the third Shogun, TOKUGAWA Iemitsu.
The votive lighting inside "Konpon Chudo" has continued its lightning for 1200 years, since SAICHO built Enryakuji Temple.
"Monjyu-ro" Gate is located on a hill across from "Konpon Chudo". "Monjyu-ro" is the main gate of Enryakuji Temple.
The view of "Konpon Chudo" from "Monjyu-ro" was very impressive, as shown in the above picture.
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After visiting "Monjyu-ro", I visited "Konpon Chudo". No photos are allowed inside of "Kopon Chudo".
The atomosphere was very solemn.
"Daikoku-do" hall and "Dai Ko-do", meaning the large lecture hall, are on the way from "Konpon Chudo" to "Kaidan-In" Hall.
The building of the lecture hall was moved from Sakamoto in 1964 and designated as an important cultural property.
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Large Lecture Hall, "Dai Ko-do"
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"Kaidan-in", Mahayana Ordination Hall, is located to the west of "Konpon Chudo".
Priests of Enryakuji Temple receive Mahayana, an existing branch of Buddhism, lessons and training in the hall.
"Kaidan-in" hall is also designated as an important cultural property.
To the west of "Kaidan-in", "Amida-do" Hall is located. The hall is at the highest location of Enryakuji Temple.
Amitabha Buddha leads you to the heaven.
During the Kamakura Age, a couple religious affiliations were founded. Most founders of these religious affiliations were from Enryakuji Temple.
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Home Page in Japanese: "Shane's HomePage"
