Rokuharamitsu-ji

Rokuharamitsu-ji Hondō (1363), an Important Cultural Property

Kūya chanting the nembutsu, an Important Cultural Property

Rokuharamitsu-ji (六波羅蜜寺) is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Founded by Kūya in 951, the Hondō was burned during the wars at the end of the Heian period. Its replacement of 1363, damaged during the Shintō revival at the beginning of the Meiji period, was restored in 1969.[1][2] The temple house a number of statues of the Heian and Kamakura periods that have been designated Important Cultural Properties, including a Kamakura period image of its founder Kūya, as well as a Heian Jūichimen Kannon that is a National Treasure.[3][4][5]

The temple was originally founded by Kūya as Saikō-ji (西光寺), but after the temple was renovated it received its present name from the priest Chushin. Generally, the temple's name is thought to be derived from the "six pāramitās" (六波羅蜜) requisite to supreme enlightenment. However, there is another theory that the name is derived from the area's old name, Rokuhara, after which was also named the Kamakura shogunate's secret police, the Rokuhara Tandai, whose offices were located nearby.

See also

• List of Buddhist temples in Kyoto
• List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)

References

1. "Rokuharamitsuji - History". Rokuharamitsuji. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
2. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
3. "Rokuramamitsuji - Important Cultural Properties". Rokuharamitsu-ji. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
4. "Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple". Kyoto Prefecture. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
5. "Temple Treasures of Buddhist Sculpture from Rokuharamitsuji, Kyoto". Tokyo National Museum. Retrieved 21 April 2011.

External links

(in Japanese) Rokuharamitsu-ji homepage

34°59′50″N 135°46′24″E