Kyoto - Nishi Hongan-ji Temple 🌿

The official name is Ryogoku-zan Hongan-ji. Hongan-ji is the largest denomination of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, founded by Shinran. 🌟🌸 The original Otani Hongan-ji, built in 1272 (the 9th year of the Bun'ei era) and destroyed by fire by monks from Enryaku-ji in 1465, underwent several migrations due to wars; 🌊In 1542 (the 11th year of the Tenmon era), the 10th head priest, Shōnyo, built Ishiyama Hongan-ji in Settsu Province (destroyed by fire by Oda Nobunaga in 1580); In 1591 (the 19th year of the Tensho era), the 11th head priest, Kennyo, with the support of Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi, moved to the current location; 🌟🌸 Before 1602, the successor, Jōnyo, with the support of daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu, separated from the sect and established the True Pure Land Temple on the east side of the temple, creating an east-west rivalry. 🌊 Locals thus got used to calling Ryogoku Hongan-ji "Nishi-dera," which eventually became known as Nishi Hongan-ji. There are also Nishi Hongan-ji temples in Taiwan, China, and Shanghai. 🌟🌸 The architecture of Nishi Hongan-ji reflects the aesthetics of the Momoyama period (1573-1615) and the Edo period. 🌊Only Nishi Hongan-ji has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple houses a seated statue of Shinran Shonin, the founding patriarch. 🍃🌺 The Tang-style gate, Shiragamien, Kurogamien, and Japan's oldest Noh stage within Nishi Hongan-ji are national treasures of Japan. 🌊 Other highlights include murals and the karesansui-style Tiger Creek Garden. The Feiyun Pavilion, along with the Golden Pavilion and Silver Pavilion, is known as one of the Three Pavilions of Kyoto and is a national treasure of Japan. 🍃🌺 #Nishi