When you visit Shofuku-ji Temple, located
in Hakata, you take a walk back in time to visit Japan’s first Zen temple. Shofuku-ji
is a Rinzai Temple (Rinzai focuses on the enlightenment of consciousness). It
was founded by the priest Eisai with support from the Samurai Lord Minamoto no
Yoritomo in 1195.
The temple brings Zen philosophy into the
layout and aesthetics of the grounds, temple layout, building design and
building functions. Main halls for special ceremonies are principles of Zen.
The grounds are laid out in the philosophy of Zen Buddhism to bring
enlightenment to those who visit. A Zen temple is unlike temples before the
Kamakura period. The buildings and grounds are not symmetrical in how they are
laid out.
To walk the grounds is to experience the
origins of Zen influence in Japan. There are clear lines and also buildings
that appear as you pass a corner. Other Zen characteristics are subtly curved
pent roofs (mokoshi) and curved main roofs, cusped windows (katomado) and
paneled doors. There is no temple pagoda. Pagoda’s are not a feature Zen
influence.
The buildings are a home to important
artifacts which include the effects of the priest and artist, Sengai, an
ancient korai bell from Korea, a votive table presented to the temple by
Emperor Gotoba during the Kamakura period. There are special exhibitions of the
temples artifacts held at the Fukuoka City Museum during periods of the year.
Check the temple website for dates. During our visit in 2012 several of the
buildings were undergoing restoration. The temple was severely damaged during
WWII and as a result the grounds have been consolidated from their original
extent.
Eisai (1141 to 1215) was born in Bitchu
(present day Okayama Prefecture). Trained in the teachings of Tendai Buddhism,
Eisai grew dissatisfied with what he saw as the weakening of Buddhism in Japan.
Eisai traveled to China in 1168 on his first trip to Mount Tiantai. While there
for six months, Eisai was introduced to the basic teachings of Chan (Zen)
Chinese Buddhism.
Zen is derived from the school of
Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China in the 6th century, known as Chan.
Zen is the process of achieving enlightenment through the disciple's perception
of Buddhist teachings with guidance and instruction with a teacher.
Eisai would return to China in 1187.
During that time Eisai served under Chan master Xuan Huaichang, of the Linji
(Rinzai) school. This was at the Jingde Si monastery. Upon his return to Japan
in 1191, Eisai landed at Hirado in Nagasaki with Zen scriptures and tea plant
seeds. This is purported as being the introduction of tea to Japan.
The temple was built with the support of
Minamoto no Yoritomo. Yoritomo was the third son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, heir
to the Minamoto (Seiwa Genji) family. Yoshitomo’s wife, Hojo Masako, was a
member of the Fujiwara clan. After the passing of Yoritomo, Hojo Masako would
later support Eisai building Jufuku-ji, the first Zen temple in Kamakura.
After Eisai returned to Japan, he slowly
set about establishing the new religion. He did that not by renouncing the
Tendai faith but by leaving Kyoto to travel to Kamakura in 1199. There the
Shogun and the newly established Samurai welcomed the teachings of Eisai.
Eisai remained a Tendai monk and
practiced Tendai teachings until his passing in 1215 at the age of 74. Although
Eisai is credited with bringing the Rinzai sect to Japan, it was later teachers
who would establish a pure school of Japanese Zen free from the mixtures of
teachings from other schools of thought.
6-1 Gokuso-machi
Higashi-ku
Tel: 092-291-0775
http://www.shofukuji.or.jp/ |
| Temple Sanmon Gate |
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| Butsoden Hall during restoration |
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| Zen influence is everywhere |
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| Restoration work |
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| Zen temple grounds |
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| Bell tower |
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| Zen influence |
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| Buddhist monk Eisai as Buddha standing on the lotus |
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| Temple grounds were affected by allied bombing during WWII |
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| Eisai |
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| Samurai Lord Minamoto no Yoritomo |
