Zenkoji Temple is a nonsectarian Buddhist temple located in Nagano-shi, Nagano Prefecture. The Hondo (Main Hall) of Zenkoji Temple in the photo was designated as a Japan National Treasure in 1908. The Hondo was built in 642, about 1,300 years ago. However, unfortunately, the Hondo was burn down over ten times in the past and the current Hodo was rebuilt in 1707, over 300 years ago during the Edo period. The Hodo is about 24 meters wide, about 54 meters deep and about 26 meters height. It was designated as a Japan National Treasure as it is one of the leading Buddhist architecture in the middle of the Edo period.
The Hondo’s architectural style is called “Shumoku-Zukuri”, hammer head shape, since the Buddha hall with the principal image of Buddha is connected with the worship hall in T shape. The Hondo is the biggest building of the National Treasures located in eastern Japan. It is also the biggest building which has a roof covered with Japanese cypress barks.
Under the Hondo, there is a pitch-dark tunnel called “Okaidan”. You can go down there and pass through. When you pass through the pitch-dark tunnel, you move forward by touching the wall and you have a chance to touch the Key to Pure-Land. If you can touch it, you could have a strong tie with the main image (Nyorai) and be promised to Pure-Land.
This year, 2022, if you have a chance to visit Zenkoji Temple from April 3rd until June 29th, you can see a copy of the hibutsu called “omaedachi-zo” which is an important cultural property built in the Kamakura period, about 800 years ago, made of bronze. This chance comes every seven years. 2022 is the year.
The hibutsu, the principal image of Buddha, of the Zenkoji Temple is Ikko-Sanzon-Amida-Nyorai which is Amida-Nyorai in the center and Kannon-Bosatsu in the right and Seishi-Bosatsu in the left. It is unique shape you can only see in the Zenkoji Temple. The hibutsu has never unveiled since 654 and the copy was made in Kamakura period as a substitute of the hibutsu. You can see the copy every 7 years. During the period of Gokaicho which you can see the copy, a golden thread is connected to the right hand of the copy of the hibutsu, Amida-Nyorai and the golden thread is connected to five colored threads which is connected to the Ekobashira column standing with about 10 meters height in front of the Hondo. Touching the Ekobashira column is considered same as touching the copy of the hibutsu, “omaedachi-zo” and you can have tight relation with the copy and can get several benefits.
This is the Deva Gate of Zenko-ji Temple,
Deva Gate
If you have a chance to visit Nagano, this is a place I recommend, especially this year.
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