【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.39] Syakkizan Jisanin Enkouji
Enko-ji Temple is the last temple of the “Training Dojo" at the southwestern end of the Tosado Road. It is about 70 km away from Kongofuku-ji Temple, the previous temple, and it is a long way for a walking pilgrim.
Enkouji
| Principal image | Yakushi Nyorai |
| Honzon mantra | On korokoro sendari matougi sowaka |
| Denomination | Shingon Buddhism Chisan sect |
Place
Temple lodging： none
Phone：0880-66-0225
〒788-0782
390 Nakayama, Hiratacho, Sukumo City, Kochi Prefecture
Gosyuin(red stamp)
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History
In 724, at the imperial request of Emperor Shomu, Gyoki prayed for safe childbirth and warding off evil, carved a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, and enshrined it as the principal image of worship. In addition to the main temple, 12 monasteries were built and named “Kikakuzan Seyakuin Houkoji".
Later, Kobo Daishi visited and revived as an imperial request place of Emperor Kanmu. It is said that the Nikko and Gekko Bodhisattva statues were carved and enshrined as side samurai, and the seven halls of the temple were arranged.
The “Eye Washing Well" next to the main hall is said to have miraculous powers for eye diseases, and is said to have miraculous water that gushed out when Kobo Daishi poked the ground with his cane.
It is said that in 911 (Engi 11), a red turtle who lived in Ryugu carried a copper temple bell on its back. The monks immediately dedicated it to the temple and changed it to the current name of the temple, “Syakkizan Enkoji."
This temple bell is engraved with “Engi 11 New Year’s Day…" and is a small bell with a total height of 33.6 cm and a diameter of 23 cm. At the beginning of the Meiji era, it is said that the sound was used to signal the opening and closing of the Kochi Prefectural Assembly, and it is designated as an important cultural property of the country.
Highlight
It seems that it is customary for the Shikoku pilgrimage to put the crane seal of Kakurin-ji Temple and the turtle seal of Enko-ji Temple on the back of the white coat, which is said to bring good luck!
【eye wash well】 Kobo Daishi named it “Treasure Medicine Water". It is said to be effective for eye diseases.
【stone statue of red turtle】 On the right after passing through the Niomon Gate, there is a stone statue with the motif of the red turtle legend of Ryugu Castle.
There is a bell on its back, but the real bell still exists and is kept in the temple.
Stones resembling turtles are also placed next to the main hall and in the garden pond.
It is about 30km (about 40 minutes by car) to the next 40th temple, “Kanjizai-ji"!