【Japan tourism】 Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage trip [No.59] Konkouzan Saisyouin Kokubunji

2023年4月8日2023年4月15日

There are 4 Kokubunji in 88 places. This is “Iyo Kokubunji" in Ehime Prefecture.

Kokubunji

Principal image	Yakushi Rurikou Nyorai
Honzon mantra	On korokoro sendari matougi sowaka
Denomination	Shingon Risshu Buddhism

Place

Temple lodging： none

Phone：0898-48-0533

Gosyuin(red stamp)

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History

It is said that in 741 (Tenpyo 13), Gyoki built a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the principal object of worship, at the request of Emperor Shomu and enshrined it. Kokubunji is built on the place where the provincial government of Iyo was once located.

At that time, Iyo Province was located in Imabari, which was called Ochi County. The Nankaido from the capital passed through Awaji, Awa, and Sanuki and stretched all the way here. By the way, Dogo Onsen is named after Nankaido.

Located about 150m east of the current temple, the remains of what is believed to be the East Pagoda contain 13 gigantic foundation stones and are designated as a national historic site. The height of the seven-storied pagoda is estimated to be about 60m based on the arrangement of the foundation stones. The temple, which has magnificent seven temple buildings, reminds us of the Tenpyo era, which reigned over the Buddhist world of Iyo, and still retains the vestiges of that time.

It is said that Kobo Daishi, who visited Kokubunji when he was the third chief priest, stayed here for a while and left a picture of the Five Great Myoos. Shinnyo, one of Kobo Daishi’s ten major disciples, also stayed here for two years, copying a part of the Lotus Sutra and dedicating it.

Sango and Ingo are based on “Konkomyosaishooukyo". At a time when national protection was of paramount importance, this sutra was revered as the spiritual pillar of the Ritsuryo nation in the early Heian period.

It suffered from many fires, and full-scale reconstruction began in the latter half of the Edo period. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1789 during the time of the 43rd head priest, Eko Shonin.

Highlight

It’s about 30km (about an hour and a half by car) to the next 60th temple, “Yokomine-ji"!