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Situated deep in the mountains of jap Shimane Prefecture, Gakuen-ji is among the most historic Buddhist temples within the area. Its roots return to the start of Buddhism in Japan and is alleged to have been based on the request of the primary reigning empress within the nation’s recorded historical past.
The present temple grounds are a cease on the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and Izumo Shinbutsu Pilgrimage amongst others. Gakuen-ji can also be famend for its surrounding pure magnificence, notably from mid to late November when quite a few maple timber rework into shades of pink and orange.
Picture: PIXTA/ スタイル
The Empress, the Priest and the Warrior Monk
Buddhism was launched to Japan within the sixth century, and an instrumental determine in its unfold was Empress Suiko, who in a break from custom ascended the throne after her brother, the emperor, was murdered. A Buddhist herself, Empress Suiko supported the founding of temples all through Japan, and Gakuen-ji was amongst these.
In keeping with one model of the temple’s founding story, Empress Suiko was healed of eye illness when a monk named Chishun Shonin prayed for her restoration at Furo Waterfall. Grateful, Empress Suiko requested {that a} temple be constructed there.
The temple at Furo Waterfall Picture: PIXTA/ 安ちゃん
Gakuen-ji was based in 594—making it one of many oldest temples in Japan—and historic proof means that by the 1100s it was well-known as far-off as Kyoto. Gakuen-ji additionally performs a job within the story of Benkei, a legendary Twelfth-century warrior monk. Allegedly, Benkei carried a temple bell practically 100 kilometers from Daisen-ji Temple in Tottori Prefecture to Gakuen-ji in a single night time. A pageant, which features a reenactment of Benkei carrying the bell, is held on the final Sunday of October to commemorate this legend.
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