【Japan tourism】Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.28] Houkaisan Kosyouin Dainitiji
There are 3 Dainichiji temples in the 88 temples. This is Dainichiji Temple in Kochi Prefecture.
Dainitiji
| principal image | Dainichi Nyorai |
| Honzon mantra | On bazara dadoban |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Chizan sect |
Place
Temple lodging： none
Phone：0887-56-0638
〒781-5222
476 Bodaiji, Noichicyou, Konan City, Kochi Prefecture
Gosyuin(red stamp)
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History
It is said that Gyoki carved and enshrined the seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai of the Kongokai world at the request of Emperor Shomu. The principal image of Buddha is made of marquetry and is one of the largest Buddha statues in Shikoku, boasting a height of about 146 cm.
There are two types of Dainichi Nyorai, the “Kongokai” and the “Taizoukai”.
The standing statue of Sho Kanzeon Bodhisattva on the side is said to have been made by Chisho Daishi. This is also a large statue of 172 cm and both are designated as important cultural properties of the country.
In 815 (6th year of Konin), Kobo Daishi visited and prayed for the peace of the people of the latter age, and carved a statue of Yakushi Nyorai with his nails on a standing camphor tree. And it is said that he revived this temple.
It is called “Nail Carving Yakushi". He is said to have miraculous powers for ailments from the neck down, such as the head, eyes, nose, ears, and face. The camphor tree carved by Kobo Daishi was destroyed by a typhoon in the early Meiji period, so a hall was built in the Okunoin and enshrined as a sacred tree.
In the Edo period, it was protected by the Tosa clan and became a prayer temple, and the pagoda was maintained. The temple was temporarily closed due to the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, but the principal image was preserved and the temple was rebuilt in 1884.
Highlight
【Daishi Okaji Water】 Next to Yakushido, there is spring water that has been selected as one of the 40 best waters of Tosa. A few kilometers to the northwest of the temple is Ryugado, one of Japan’s three largest limestone caves, and this area is rich in groundwater.
【Main holl】It was reconstructed in 1997. It is made from Japanese cypress and pine, without using nails.
The curved roof also emphasizes the characteristics of Heian architecture.
【Daishido】It was renovated in 1983 (Showa 58). The statue of Kobo Daishi was donated by Tadayoshi Yamauchi, the second governor of the Tosa domain.
It is about 12 km (about 20 minutes by car) to the next 29th bill place “Kokubunji"!