【京都観光】知恩院｜浄土宗総本山｜Chion-in temple
Chion-in is the head temple of the Jodo sect Shinmon facing Higashioji-dori Get off at the “Chion-in-mae” bus stop From here, go up the hill to Sanmon. Honen, who founded the Jodo sect, spent the last few decades here. Chion-in Temple is located at the foot of Mt. Kachoyama.
After Honen studied Tendai Buddhism on Mt. Hiei, Created Yoshimizu-soan in the current Anyoji temple. If you recite the nembutsu, “Namu Amida Butsu,” It is said that regardless of one’s social status, one can live equally after death. Preaching the teachings of Senshu Nembutsu
The Jodo sect was founded at the end of the Heian period. 2024 will be the year to commemorate the 850th anniversary of the founding of the sect. In Kyoto, the main temple is Konkai Komyoji, There are also Hyakumanben Chion-ji Temple and Seijoke-in Temple. Around Chion-in Temple Shoren-in, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, etc.
There are tourist attractions and many people visit. Tokugawa Ieyasu gave them a large temple territory, Since then, it has received the devotion of the Tokugawa family. Huge halls were built that remains to this day. national treasure Sanmon Built in 1621 by order of the second shogun, Hidetada Tokugawa.
Japan’s largest existing wooden gate The inside of the upper layer is richly colored Buddha Shakyamuni on the central Shumidan On the left and right are Suda Choja, Zenzai Doji, and 16 Arhat statues. The plaque on “Kachozan”, which is more than two tatami mats in size, is written by the Emperor Reigen.
You can view the upper floors during special public openings. You can overlook Kyoto city from the upper floors. Sanmon means Sangedatsumon (emptiness, no phase, no desire) If you go up this Otokozaka slope, you will find Mieido and Amidado. There is also a gentle Onazaka slope on the south side.
The stone wall looks like a castle wall The difference in stone steps is also large. There was a plan to use Chion-in as a battle base in case of an emergency. It seems that the Tokugawa family had one. Located on a hill overlooking Kyoto national treasure Mieido
Built in 1639 by the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu A semi-demolition repair was carried out in 2019. A statue of Honen is enshrined here. Statues of Ieyasu, Odai, and Hidetada too. There are also the imperial tablets of the successive chief priests of Chion-in Temple.
A pine tree with six branches It is planted on the left and right sides of the front of Mieido. The same six characters as the six-character name of “Namu Amida Butsu” Tokugawa’s trefoil aoi in the offering box You cannot take pictures inside, but you can visit the hall early in the morning.
Chion-in Temple is free to visit the precincts. It’s a large temple halfway up the mountain. You can access the precincts from many gates. The recommended route is Sanmon → Otokozaka → Mieido → Amida-do → Assembly hall → Dai-hojo → Hojo garden Nurekami Daimyojin → Seishido → Mausoleum →
Sutra → Great Bell Tower → Anyoji Temple → Yuzenen Garden Especially the national treasures Sanmon and Mieido. The Hojo Garden, a nationally designated scenic spot, is a must-see. Amida-do Hall is connected to Miei-do Hall by a corridor. Established in 1910 A large seated statue of Amida Nyorai is enshrined here. Amida-do Hall
”Otani-dera Temple” is the imperial plaque of Emperor Gonara. The words ”Chion-in” are written on the tiles. You can walk 360 degrees around Mieido. The front right is the sutra The shoji screens in Mieido were being replaced.
The gate you see on the right side of the front is the Karamon gate, which is an important cultural property. Behind the Karamon gate is the roof of the main hall, which is also an important cultural property. important cultural property Meeting hall Shuedo The area around the assembly hall is currently under construction.
Gardeners were bringing in large rocks. Directly behind Mieido (north side) During the nine-year repair period of Mieido, the assembly hall The space was temporarily expanded to allow for memorial services. A meeting hall designated as an important cultural property I think this is a construction project to restore it to its original state.
It is difficult to preserve national treasures and important cultural properties. The assembly hall at the end of the hallway was built in 1635 by the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Made by the Nakai family, a famous carpenter in Kyoto. Although you cannot take pictures, there is a seated statue of Amida Nyorai enshrined there.
At the time of the memorial service, all the monks first go to the assembly hall. It seems that after gathering, we will move to Mieido. From now on, the main hall is designated as an important cultural property. There is an exhibition about the seven wonders of Chion-in Temple.
It is not allowed to take pictures. Please come and try it out Nationally designated scenic spot: Abbot’s Garden It is said to be the garden created by the monk Gyokuen. On the left is Ohojo Although not open to the public, there are several Kano school wall paintings. Garden of 25 Bodhisattvas
The National Treasure “Twenty-five Bodhisattva Arrivals” Represented by rocks and plants Gongendo Hall, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, Hideyori, and Iemitsu Tea room Aoi-an Statues and imperial tablets were enshrined there. Kobojo and Aoi-an A Japanese cedar tree, which is often seen in temples in Kyoto, is planted here.
Mitsuba Aoi on the tiles of Gongendo Hall You can go to Santei from the Hojo garden. You can hear the sounds of the memorial service at Seishido. There is a mountain bower (no photography allowed) in front of the gate. You can copy sutras at Santei
Copying sutras in a place with a beautiful view is a special experience. After leaving Yamatei, there will be a cemetery. There is also the grave of Princess Sen, who married Hideyori Toyotomi from the Tokugawa family. Nurekami Daimyojin located at the back of Senhime’s grave Blessings for matchmaking important cultural property Seishido
Built in 1530, the oldest building in Chion-in Temple When you pass through the gate in front of the shrine The approach to Seishido was a gentle slope. Probably because it has been located halfway up the mountain since 1530. Seishido is also leaning It looks like repairs to Seishido will begin soon.
There is a shrine on top of Seishido. On the left is Honen’s mausoleum and on the right is the worship hall. You can visit from the shrine Front of the shrine There is a shrine in the back Next to the Seishido Hall, there was a petition.
The teachings left by Honen to his disciples just before his death important cultural property Karamon Karamon Karamon, also called Imperial Envoy Gate Has a detailed design Karamon gate seen from the Ohojo side important cultural property Kyozo The interior of the sutra, which was built in 1612, has walls, ceilings, and pillars.
Featuring richly colored paintings by artists of the Kano school. It was donated by the second shogun, Hidetada Tokugawa. The Song Dynasty version of the All Sutras is enshrined here. Usually not open to the public Visit the Great Bell Tower, famous for the New Year’s Eve Bell Along with Hokoji and Todaiji in Nara
It is said to be one of Japan’s three most famous bells. Built in 1678, weighs 70 tons important cultural property Great Bell Tower You will be more surprised at the size when you actually see it than when you see it in the video.
The sound of a bell to get rid of earthly desires and welcome the new year with a pure heart The New Year’s Eve Bell is rung by a total of 17 people, 1 parent and 16 children. The monks you see at Chion-in Temple Is it just my imagination that I look muscular?
Kisuisouan Anyoji Temple is located 100 meters from the large bell tower. I received a guidebook at Anyoji Temple. According to the guidebook, “Honen Shonin, who entered the path of Senshu Nembutsu, It is an important sacred place where people have spent more than 30 years. Guided to Nembutsu by Honen Shonin
Most of the people gather here, He believed in the teachings of his master. Saint Shinran is one of them.” On the left and right of the approach are private graves. There were several families visiting the grave. There is a mountain name called Jienzan of Anyoji Temple at the foot of the mountain.
This is the origin of the name of Maruyama Park. The place where Honen of the Jodo sect and Shinran of the Jodo Shinshu met Please come and visit Anyangji Temple as well. On the way back from Anyo-ji to Chion-in, I saw the original wind chime. The famous Futaku was hanging there.
Chion-in Yuzenen garden It is said to be the site of the residence of Miyazaki Yuzensai, the founder of Kyoto Yuzen. Kannon Bodhisattva statue in the center of the pond The sloped inside of the garden is divided into upper and lower parts. A pond garden on the upper level,
At the bottom is a Karesansui deer garden. Teahouse Teahouse Miyazaki Yuzensai statue At Chion-in Temple, cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves are in season. There is a night illumination viewing There are cherry blossoms planted in this Yuzenen garden as well. It is one of the highlights
Yuzenen garden when lit up at night → Mieido → The gate ahead was the entrance when it was lit up at night. In 2023, if you follow us on instagram, the admission fee will be discounted by 100 yen. Chion-in Temple is active in new things I can see the Sanmon Gate
Two of the Seven Wonders of Chion-in Temple can be seen at any time. The first one is Mieido’s forgotten umbrella. It is said that Hidari Jingoro placed it in Mieido to ward off evil spirits. The second one is Uryu stone.
It is said to have been the entrance to a loophole leading to Nijo Castle. Near Uryu-ishi is the Kuromon of Chion-in Temple. Kuromon, relocated from Fushimi Castle around 1600 There are many gates in Chion-in Temple. Shinmon facing Higashioji-dori
From Okazaki through Furukawa Shopping Street The old gate you pass through when going to Chion-in Temple From Yasaka Shrine through Maruyama Park The south gate is the one you pass through when going to Chion-in Temple. When going from Shoren-in to Chion-in Pass through the Kuromon and North Gates
There is also a Buke gate within the precincts. The stone wall after passing through the Sanmon gate is also impressive. The stone wall that runs from the Kuromon to the North Gate also looks like a castle wall. There is a temple called Sotai-in next to the Kuromon gate.
Sotai-in is a temple that is not open to the public. There is a stone monument next to the entrance that says “Shinran Shonin Former Mausoleum.” Built by Nishi Hongwanji There is also a stone monument nearby that says “Otani Honganji Temple”. 2024 marks the 850th anniversary of the founding of the Jodo sect.
At the National Museums in Tokyo and Kyoto There is an exhibition of “Honen and the Pure Land of Paradise” Temple treasures owned by Chion-in will also be on display. There is also an official Jodo sect temple tour app.
Earn points when you visit a Jodo sect temple. There is also a point rally where you can collect points. Unfortunately it was raining, but if it was sunny You can see the north side area of Gion
2024年2月26日～28日 京都市東山区にある知恩院へ行きました。
京都旅行・京都観光・修学旅行の下調べのご参考になると嬉しいです。
🗺️地図・My Maps
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1hU4_PyKBNDl5xK1Z3trP1KERg0qyQcw&usp=sharing
0:00 新門から知恩院三門へ
1:33 三門
3:29 御影堂、阿弥陀堂、集会堂、大方丈
8:19 方丈庭園
10:15 山亭、濡髪大明神
13:27 勢至堂
14:44 唐門、経蔵、大鐘楼
16:43 安養寺
18:25 友禅苑
21:44 知恩院七不思議、黒門
A virtual tour of the Chion-in temple, filmed on Feb 26th, 27th, and 28th 2024.
Chion-in Temple is the head temple of Jodo shu.
Please visit the Chion-in temple and realize how huge they are.