The book is enjoyable and you will walk along with each author as they share their sights, observations and interactions with their view of this historic city.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Deep Kyoto Walks - A book worth reading
If you've ever visited Kyoto or want to visit Kyoto someday, this book is an excellent read. It is a series of essays from residents of Kyoto (non-Japanese) who let us share their walks in the famous and not well known back streets, temples and shrines that are of historic Kyoto.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Sekizan-gu (Temple of Chih-shan)
When Ennin (posthumously known as Jikaku-Taishi) studied at
the temple of Chih-shan in China, under the rule of the Tang Dynasty with
Imperial sanction, he worshipped the deity of Shiragi-myojin (the gracious
deity of Silla, one of the three kingdoms in Korea in the first millennium) to
enhance his spiritual life and learn the teachings of Buddhism.
He was enshrined here at this temple after his return to
Japan because he successfully finished the ten-year training program, thanks to
his piety during his stay in China. Since then, at Buddhist temples in Japan,
Jikaku-Taishi has been worshipped as the master of the doctrine of Tendai
Buddhism, and Shiragi-myojin of Chih-shan has been deified as the guardian god
of the teachings of the Tendai sect.
It is believed that this deity prevents disasters,
guarantees longevity and drives away evil spirit - people chant his name
Sekizan-Myojin (gracious deity of Chih-shan) as a sign of worship. The deity is
also regarded as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Enryaku-ji Temple - Otsu City
http://www.hieizan.or.jp/
 |
| Warm refreshments on a cold day |
 |
| Map of compound |
 |
| Game of chance - the winner gets free food |
 |
| Map of area |
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Enryaku-ji Temple - Daikodo (Important Cultural Asset)
The Daikodo, constructed by Gishin, the first head priest of
the Tendai sect of Buddhism, is used by the Buddhist priests to have debates to
deepen their studies. The so called "Hokkedaie kogakuryugi" started
by Jie Daishi, continues to be an important ceremony held every four years in
this hall for those trainee monks stepping into the position of full fledge
Tendai priests. The current building, relocated and reconstructed from the
piedmont district called Sakamoto after the old building was destroyed by fire
in 1956, enshrines the revered statues of the founders of Buddhist sects, who
devoted themselves to their studies for many years in mount Hiei.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)