Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple and Sennyuji Temple: A variety of Arhat statues and beautiful Kannon statues
We are going to introduce you to Kyoto's famous places, focusing on the characteristics and history of the shrines and temples in Kyoto. We hope to provide you with a detailed introduction that will be useful for your sightseeing. This is the fifth installment, and we will be introducing Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple and Sennyuji Temple.
● Otagi Nenbutsu Temple
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located deep in Sagano, on the outskirts of Kyoto City. It is the starting point for tours of Sagano, located at the foot of Mount Atago. The temple was built near Gion in Higashiyama during the Nara period by order of Emperor Shotoku, but fell into disrepair during the Heian period and was rendered virtually abandoned by flooding of the Kamo River, but was restored by order of Emperor Daigo. However, it has since gone through many ups and downs.
In 1922, it was transferred from Higashiyama to the depths of present-day Sagano, and is now hidden in the forests deep in the mountains. The highlight of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is the 1200 stone statues of arhats that are carved throughout the temple grounds. Arhats are monks who are direct disciples of the Buddha. The temple is known as the 500 arhats because 500 arhats were present when the Buddha passed away. It is said that 100 years later, 700 arhats gathered together to hold a study group to properly spread the teachings. In 1981, the head priest of this temple at the time prayed for the prosperity of the temple, and prayed to fill the temple grounds with 1200 stone statues of arhats. He called on worshippers to carve and donate stone statues. As a result of this wish, arhat statues were created all over the temple grounds, and ten years later, in 1991, the total of 1,200 arhat statues was finally completed.
The stone statues carved by ordinary worshippers are all small, but they have a variety of poses and expressions, such as smiling, playing flutes, dressed as boxers, holding animals, and sharing sake, and the sight of 1,200 stone statues lined up in a row is truly impressive. You can see the arhat statues anywhere in the temple grounds, and the heartwarming, handmade figures will warm the hearts of those who see them. It might be a good idea to go and look for your favorite arhat.
What makes this temple unique is that the current head priest, Kouei Nishimura, is also a composer who can play guitar and synthesizer. He expresses the teachings of Buddha through music as part of his missionary work. He has given various concerts, appeared on television, and produced over 23 CDs. With the warning Hozu Gorge nearby, it would be nice to listen to the Western-style music reverberating through the mountains.
●Sennyuji Temple
At the foot of Mount Tsukinowa, one of the 36 peaks of Higashiyama, lies Tofukuji Temple, known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves. To the east of the temple lies the historic Sennyuji Temple. Founded in 1218 by Tsukinowa Daishi, the temple grounds house a splendid Buddha statue, including a Buddha hall, a relic hall, a Reimei-den hall, and a throne room. The temple has long been highly trusted by the Imperial Court, and since it has been a place of deep worship for the successive emperors and the Joseon Dynasty, and a tomb is also located there, it is also known as the "Imperial Temple." In one corner of the spacious grounds is a magnificent building called the "Yang Guifei Kannon Hall." This is where the statue of the Chinese Yang Guifei Kannon is enshrined. Yang Guifei was the wife of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty in China, and is considered one of the three most beautiful women in the world, along with Cleopatra and Ono no Komachi, who are also considered to be the three most beautiful women in the world. Emperor Xuanzong favored her so much that she caused a war, and she was eventually killed. But why is there a statue of Yang Guifei in a temple in Kyoto? Moreover, it is said that the Yang Guifei Kannon statue has a mustache. Emperor Xuanzong was heartbroken after Yang Guifei was murdered, and had a life-size seated statue of Kannon Bodhisattva made to look just like Yang Guifei. It is said that this statue looks just like Yang Guifei, as if she had come back to life. Later, when Gekkina Daishi's disciple, Tankai Ritsushi, traveled to Song, he was entrusted with this Kannon statue along with other Buddhist statues by a Song monk, who brought it back to Japan and enshrined it at Sennyuji Temple. It remained a secret treasure at the temple for 700 years, but has been open to the public since 1955.
The bright color of the jeweled crown of the Kannon statue has not faded, and with its long face, plump cheeks, deep-set nose and mouth, it exudes an elegance that is reminiscent of Yang Guifei. However, what is interesting is that when you look at its mouth, it appears to have a mustache that is out of place with such an elegant face. In fact, what appears to be a mustache represents the mouth movements that express compassion and preaching, and is seen on other Buddhist statues as well. This Yang Guifei Kannon is said to grant prayers for beauty, marriage, and love, and even today many women visit the statue hoping to share in the beauty of the famous Yang Guifei.
What do you think? We have introduced Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, where a row of Arhat statues with as many different shapes and forms are lined up, and Sennyuji Temple, where the uniquely beautiful Yang Guifei Kannon statue is enshrined. Kyoto is home to many Buddhist statues, but there are also lesser known places like these two temples. Both are great sightseeing spots, so please consider visiting them. If you rent a kimono when sightseeing in Kyoto, you will be able to get a better feel for the time. There is one kimono rental shop in Kyoto called VASARA. Please consider using this service when you visit.
