Daisho-in Temple

Daisho-in or Daisyo-in is a historic Japanese temple complex with many temples and statues on Mount Misen, the holy mountain on the island of Itsukushima, off the coast of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan.

Daisho-in was founded by the monk Kukai, also known posthumously as Kobo-Daishi, in the year 806, the 1st year of the Daido era.

It is the 14th temple in the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and famous for the maple trees and their autumn colors.

Map with Daisho-in Temple location. Map showing the location of the Great Torii Gate (bottom left), Itsukushima Shrine (left) and Daisho-in Temple (top right).

Drawing showing the entire Daisho-in Temple complex.

Shiraito River with Sika deer. The sika deer (Cervus nippon), also known as the Northern spotted deer or the Japanese deer, is a species of deer native to much of East Asia and introduced to other parts of the world. Previously found from northern Vietnam in the south to the Russian Far East in the north, it is now uncommon except in Japan, where the species is overabundant. In ancient times, these deer were considered messengers of the gods, and had temples built in their honor where offerings of food were made. The Sika deer and the people of Miyajima maintained this mutually beneficial relationship for years. See more at Sika deer - Wikipedia.

Waterfall bridge (Taki-bashi).

Takimachi Park (Taki-cho koen).

Nio Gate (Niomon). Niomon (lit. Nio gate) is the Japanese name of a Buddhist temple gate guarded by two wooden warriors called Nio (lit. Two Kings). The two statues are inside the two posts of the gate itself, one at the left, one at the right. The statue on the right is called Naraen Kongo and has his mouth open to utter the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet, which is pronounced "a". The left statue is called Misshaku Kongo and has his mouth closed, representing the last letter of the Sanskrit alphabet, pronounced "um". These two letters (a-un in Japanese) together symbolize the birth and death of all things. See more at Niōmon - Wikipedia.

Misshaku Kongo (Guhyapda). Guhyapada (Japanese: Misshaku Kongo) is a symbol of overt violence: he wields a vajra mallet "vajra-pani" (a diamond club, thunderbolt stick, or sun symbol) and bares his teeth. His mouth is depicted as being in the shape necessary to form the "ha" or "ah" sound. In China, he is also known as General Ha (Ha Jiang) in reference to this iconographic detail. Similarly, he is also known as Agyo ("a"-form, general term open-mouthed statues in aum pair) in Japan due to this detail as well. In Chinese Buddhism, Guhyapada is regarded as one of the Twenty-Four Protective Deities, who are a grouping of dharmapalas often enshrined in the Mahavira Hall of temples and monasteries. In addition, Guhyapada is also sometimes paired or identified with the Wisdom King Ucchusma, who is commonly known in Chinese as Huiji Jingang. See more at Nio Guhyapāda - Wikipedia.

Naraen Kongo (Narayana). Narayana (Japanese: Naraen Kongo) is depicted either bare-handed or wielding a sword. He symbolizes latent strength, holding his mouth tightly shut. His mouth is rendered to form the sound "hum", or "heng" or "un". In China, he is also known as General Heng (Heng Jiang) in reference to this iconographic detail. Similarly, he is also known as Ungyo ("um"-form, general term closed-mouthed statues in aum pair) in Japan due to this detail as well. See more at Nio Nārāyaṇa - Wikipedia.

Lower Daishi-do Hall (Shimodaishido). Daishi-do hall is a type of Buddhist hall in Japan built to enshrine and pray to a priest who was entitled as Daishi (literally a great master, an honorific title given by the Imperial Court). Although most Buddhist halls called 'Daishi-do' enshrine Kukai (Kobo Daishi) (774 - 835) who was the founder of the Shingon sect, there are some halls called 'Daishido' which enshrine Enchin (Chisho Daishi) and Ryogen (Gensan Daishi, Jikei Daishi).

Prayer wheel stone steps (Manisha no ishidan). A prayer wheel is a cylindrical wheel on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather, or coarse cotton. The concept of the prayer wheel is a physical manifestation of the phrase "turning the wheel of Dharma", which describes the way in which the Buddha taught. According to the lineage texts on prayer wheels, prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma). The practitioner most often spins the wheel clockwise, as the direction in which the mantras are written is that of the movement of the sun across the sky. See more at Prayer wheel - Wikipedia.

Bell Tower (Shoro-do).

Buddha Vairocana stone sculpture. Vairocana (also Mahavairocana) is a cosmic buddha from Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. Vairocana is often interpreted as the "truth body" or "reality body" (dharmakaya) of the historical Gautama Buddha. In East Asian Buddhism (Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese Buddhism), Vairocana is also seen as the embodiment of the Buddhist concept of "emptiness" or "vacuity" (sunyata). In the conception of the 5 Great Buddhas (Jinas) of Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism, Vairocana is at the centre and is considered a Primordial Buddha.

Nature Hikes on Miyajima. There are three hiking trails leading up Misen: the Momijidani Course, Daisho-in Course and Omoto Course. Of the three, the Daisho-in Course offers the nicest views and is not as steep as the other two. The Momijidani Course, while the shortest, is also the steepest, leading mostly through the forest. Using any course, it takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the summit.

Crow Tengu (Karasu Tengu). Tengu (lit. 'Heavenly Sentinel') are a type of legendary creature found in Shinto belief. They are considered a type of supernatural beings (yokai) or Shinto gods or spirits (kami). The tengu in art appears in a variety of shapes. It usually falls somewhere in between a large, monstrous bird and a wholly anthropomorphized being, often with a red face or an unusually large or long nose. Daitengu are often pictured in a more human-like form than their underlings, and due to their long noses, they may also be called hanatakatengu (tall-nosed tengu). Kotengu may conversely be depicted as more bird-like. They are sometimes called Karasu-Tengu (crow tengu), or koppa- or konoha-tengu (foliage tengu). During the 14th century, the tengu began to trouble the world outside of the Buddhist clergy, and like their ominous ancestors the tiangou, the tengu became creatures associated with war. Legends eventually ascribed to them great knowledge in the art of skilled combat. See more at Tengu - Wikipedia.

Goma Hall (Goma-do). The homa (goma) ritual of consecrated fire is found in some Buddhist traditions of Tibet, China and Japan. Its roots are the Vedic ritual, it evokes Buddhist deities, and is performed by qualified Buddhist priests. In some Buddhist homa traditions, such as in Japan, the central deity invoked in this ritual is usually Acalanatha (Fudo Myoo, lit. immovable wisdom king). The Acala Homa ritual procedure follows the same Vedic protocols found in Hinduism, with offerings into the fire by priests who recite mantras being the main part of the ritual and the devotees clap hands as different rounds of hymns have been recited. See more at Homa (ritual) - Wikipedia.

Kannon Hall (Kannondo). The largest and most eye-catching building at Daishoin, Kannondo Hall contains several of the temple’s most significant sites of worship. While not officially Daishoin’s main hall (hondo), an honor that belongs to Chokugando Hall farther up the hill, Kannondo has plenty for visitors to see. The statue in the middle of the main room and directly across from the entrance depicts Juichimen Kannon, the eleven-headed bodhisattva of compassion. This statue was the primary Buddhist deity of Itsukushima Shrine until 1868, when the government ordered the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and thus ended a tradition of syncretism that had dominated religious thought and practice in Japan for more than a thousand years. All Buddhist imagery had to be removed from Shinto shrines, leaving the Juichimen Kannon without a home. The statue was moved to Daishoin, where a new hall, the Kannondo, was built to house it. The current building was rebuilt in 1932 after the first Kannondo burned down in 1887.

Double-eyed Daruma. This is an eyed Daruma modeled after Daruma Daishi. It is enshrined in the Kannon-do hall where the eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, the main Buddha of Itsukushima Shrine, is enshrined. It is said that if you touch it, it will lead to good luck and the fulfillment of your wishes. A Daruma doll is a hollow, round, Japanese traditional doll modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen tradition of Buddhism. See more at Daruma doll - Wikipedia.

Japanese raccoon dog monk. The Tanuki monk is installed on the right side of the door that gives access to the Kannondo. The raccoon dog is dressed as a monk. It catches the eye with a form that has never been seen before. You often see raccoon dogs in Shigaraki ware. The raccoon dog is said to be auspicious because it "pulls out the others". Various elements are added to it, making it even more auspicious. First of all, the Shigaraki raccoon dog wears an umbrella on its head. That means avoiding disaster. Next, the staring eyes mean "to keep an eye on things and see things around you." The next laughing mouth means "always keep smiling". Having a tokkuri (a thin-necked bottle rounded at the bottom used for pouring sake) means to become a person who has "virtue" by hooking the word "tokkuri" to "don't have trouble eating and drinking". The hanging bankbook means "good at the world and credit first." Money bag. In other words, "kindama bag" means not to worry about money. A fat tail means to make things big and thick. A big belly means "to act boldly and calmly". The hat, eyes, mouth, sake bottle, passbook, money bag, tail, and belly are called Hasso Engi, which means good luck. See more at Japanese raccoon dog In folklore and tradition - Wikipedia.

Inside Kannon Hall (Kannondo).

Room in the middle. The statue in the middle of the main room and directly across from the entrance depicts Juichimen Kannon, the eleven-headed bodhisattva of compassion. Juichimen Kannon (“Eleven-headed Kannon”), is an important bodhisattva in the Esoteric schools of Buddhism. Atop the deity’s own head are eleven additional heads. Ten of these take the form of bodhisattvas and represent the ten stages toward enlightenment. The topmost head is that of Amida (Sanskrit: Amitabha), the Buddha from whom Kannon emanates. See more at Ekādaśamukha - Wikipedia.

Room on the left side. The room on the left side of the hall commemorates the visit of Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) to Daishoin in 1885, when the monarch’s quarters were built on this same site. The displays include a painting depicting the imperial visit and other artifacts related to that momentous occasion.

Room on the right side. The room on the right side stands out with its vivid streamers and other decorations, the colors of which also adorn the large, golden Buddha statue in the middle of the chamber. This statue depicts the bodhisattva Miroku, a central figure in both Shingon and Tibetan Buddhism, and was consecrated by the Dalai Lama on his visit to Daishoin in 2006. The Miroku Room, which also displays a Tibetan sand mandala, is tangible proof of the close relationship between Shingon and Tibetan Buddhism, esoteric traditions with common doctrinal roots.

Four variant depictions of Fudo Myoo.

Verandah in front of the hall. On the verandah in front of the hall, a narrow staircase leads visitors down into the darkness underneath the structure. This is the entrance to the kaidan meguri, a pitch-black corridor that symbolizes the body of Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. Passing through it is said to cleanse the mind and raise one’s spirits. Along the corridor’s left wall are images that represent the deities of 37 temples dedicated to Kannon in the Chugoku region (of which Miyajima is part). Saying a prayer in front of each of the 37 images is said to earn the same blessings as completing the entire 1,500-kilometer Chugoku Kannon pilgrimage.

Mani Temple (Mani-den). Mani Temple seen from the Kannon Hall.

Chokugando Hall. Chokugando Hall is the main hall (hondo) of Daisho-in Temple and houses a statue of Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings of Buddhism and the temple’s principal deity (honzon). The original Chokugando was the oldest structure on the temple grounds, built on the orders of Emperor Toba (1103–1156) upon his visit to Miyajima in the twelfth century. Chokugan means “emperor’s prayer” and refers specifically to an appeal for peace and prosperity throughout the realm. The current hall was constructed in 1910 and its focal point is a wooden image of Namikiri Fudo Myoo, the “wave-breaking” manifestation of a fierce-looking deity that is widely worshiped in Shingon Buddhism.

The Sixteen Good Gods. The sixteen good gods who protect the Daihannya Sutra and 20 of them who are closely related to the Daihannya Sutra, including the Ever-Chanting Bodhisattva, the Dharma Bodhisattva, Xuanzang, and the Shenzhen General, are enshrined in front of the Imperial Temple.

Inside Chokugando Hall.

Thousand Fudo. They are enshrined around Namikiri Fudo Myoo, and they are enshrined for the fulfillment of people's wishes.

Namikiri Fudo Myoo. Namikiri Fudo Myoo was worshiped by the sixteenth-century warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598), who chose the deity as his personal protector and installed a statue of it on his ship before commanding an invasion of the Korean Peninsula in 1592. The statue now housed at Chokugando is said to have been donated by Hideyoshi and is believed to protect travelers to Miyajima, who must journey across the water to get to the island. Also housed within the building, in each corner of the hall, are statues of the other four Wisdom Kings: Gozanze (east), Gundari (south), Daiitoku (west), and Kongoyasha (north). After exiting the hall, visitors can write a wish or a prayer to the deities on an wooden votive tablet (ema), which are available in several shapes and can be hung on the wall next to Chokugando Hall. The tablets are displayed there until the next prayer ceremony, at which time they are ritually burned.

Shaka Nirvana Hall (Shakanehan-do). Buddhist sculpture of the final nirvana of the Buddha. Nirvana is "blowing out" or "quenching" of the activities of the worldly mind and its related suffering. There are two stages in nirvana, one in life, and one final nirvana upon death; the former is imprecise and general, the latter is precise and specific. The nirvana-in-life marks the life of a monk who has attained complete release from desire and suffering but still has a body, name and life. The nirvana-after-death, also called nirvana-without-substrate, is the complete cessation of everything, including consciousness and rebirth. See more at Nirvana (Buddhism) - Wikipedia.

Tengu stone statue.

Up the stairs towards Mani Temple.

Mani Temple (Mani-den). Om mani padme hum is the six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra particularly associated with the four-armed Shadakshari form of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The literal meaning in English has been expressed as "praise to the jewel in the lotus", or as a declarative aspiration possibly meaning "I in the jewel-lotus". See more at Om mani padme hum - Wikipedia.

Kannon Hall seen from Mani Temple.

Yakushi Nyorai and the Twelve Divine Generals. Yakushi Nyorai is a Buddha who cures illnesses and heals the body, and his followers, the twelve divine generals, are the Buddhas who protect people according to Yakushi's 12 great vows.

Aizen Myoo. It is a Buddha that relieves the worldly desires related to lust and guides us in the direction of enlightenment. If you believe in this Buddha, you will be respected by people and will gain merit that will bring happiness by turning calamity into misfortune.

Budai Hall (Manpuku-do). Budai (Chinese: Budai; Korean: Podae; Japanese: Hotei; Vietnamese: Bo Dai) is a nickname given to the ancient Chinese monk Qici who is often identified with and venerated as Maitreya Buddha in Chan Buddhism. With the spread of Chan Buddhism, he also came to be venerated in Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. The name "Budai" literally means "cloth sack", and refers to the bag that he is conventionally depicted as carrying as he wanders aimlessly. His jolly nature, humorous personality, and eccentric lifestyle distinguish him from most Buddhist masters or figures. He is almost always shown smiling or laughing, hence his nickname in Chinese, the "Laughing Buddha". As Budai is traditionally depicted as overweight and having a huge stomach (possibly a symbol of abundance or forgiveness) and many stories surrounding Budai involve his love of food and drink, he is also referred to as the "Fat Buddha", especially in the Western world. See more at Budai - Wikipedia.

Entrance to Henjo Cave.

Inside Henjo Cave. Visitors will find 88 icons inside the dimly lit Henjokutsu Cave, which represent the temples along the distinguished pilgrimage route in Shikoku. It is said that by visiting it, you will receive blessings equal to completing the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. The Shikoku Pilgrimage (Shikoku Henro or Shikoku Junrei) is a multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with the Buddhist monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) on the island of Shikoku, Japan. A popular and distinctive feature of the island's cultural landscape, and with a long history, large numbers of pilgrims, known as henro, still undertake the journey for a variety of ascetic, pious, and tourism-related purposes. See more at Shikoku Pilgrimage - Wikipedia.

Henjo Cave exit.

Daishi Hall (Daishi-do). The Daishi-do or Daishi Hall that venerates Kobo Daishi.

Ichigan Daishi. Behind Daishido Hall, which enshrined Kukai, there is a Jizo (stone statue) called “Ichigan-Daishi”. Ichigan-Daishi is said to fulfill only one wish, and is also known as one of Miyajima’s sacred places. Around Jizo, many Ema (a votive horse tablet) with wishes written are suspended.

Vajra Shining in All Directions (Henjo Kongo). The Vajra (lit. 'Thunderbolt') is a legendary and ritualistic weapon, symbolizing the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is the weapon of Indra, the Vedic king of the devas and heaven. It is used symbolically by the dharmic traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. In Buddhism, the vajra is the symbol of Vajrayana, one of the three major schools of Buddhism. Vajrayana is translated as "Thunderbolt Way" or "Diamond Way". Shingon followers usually refer to Kukai by the honorific title of The Grand Master (Odaishi-sama), and the religious name of Vajra Shining in All Directions (Henjo Kongo). See more at Vajra - Wikipedia.

Daisho-in Temple from the Daisho-in Hall. Panorama of the Daisho-in Temple seen from the Daisho-in Hall.

Stone baby sleeping on the floor.

Stone statue of Guanyin seated on Kirin. The qilin is a legendary hooved chimerical creature that appears in Chinese mythology, and is said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler. Kirin are similar to qilin. Japanese art tends to depict the kirin as more deer-like than in Chinese art. Alternatively, it is depicted as a dragon shaped like a deer, but with an ox's tail instead of a lion's tail. They are also often portrayed as partially unicorn-like in appearance, but with a backwards curving horn. See more at Qilin Japan - Wikipedia.

Jizo statues. The temple ground houses hundreds of Buddhist Jizo statues along the paths. There are a wide variety of Jizo statues along the temple grounds. It's believed the Jizo help bring about the safety for travelers and children, and praying to the Jizo can make one of your prayers come true. The Jizo statues have a variety of faces, such as laughing, crying, or expressing anger. Many who pay respects to the temple comment on the sense of Arhat they feel as they walk past the numerous Jizo statues.

See also

• Itsukushima Shrine
• Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda
• Senjokaku Pavilion
• Daigan-ji Temple
• Kurawanka Restaurant

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Source

• Daishō-in - Wikipedia

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Location