Friday, June 1, 2012

Shikoku 88 Temple 11 Fujiidera


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The first ten temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage are all on the north side of the Yoshino River. Temple 11, Fujiidera (which means Wisteria Temple) is the first one south of the river.

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Reputedly founded by Kukai, the temple was converted to a Rinzai Zen temple in the Edo Period and is one of only 3 Zen temples on the 88 temple pilgrimage.

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The main deity is Yakushi Nyorai and legend says Kukai carved the wooden statue (honzon) though historical evidence suggests otherwise. Like most temple, it has suffered repeated fires, but the honzon has always survived unscathed and so the temple has a reputation as offering protection from disaster.

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From here its is a steep, long climb up into the mountains to temple 12.

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1 comment:

  1. I didn't know there were temples that were not Shingon on the pilgrimage (but I still have a lot to learn about the pilgrimage out of Kagawa)

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