Ōbaku-san Manpuku-ji (黄檗山萬福寺, Manpuku Temple on Mt. Ōbaku) is a Buddhist temple located in Uji, Kyoto, approximately a 5-minute walk from Ōbaku Station.[1] It is the head temple of the Japanese Ōbaku Zen sect, named after Wanfu Temple in Fujian, China. The mountain is likewise named after Mount Huangbo, where the Chinese temple is situated.[2]
| Manpuku-ji 萬福寺 | |
|---|---|
 Main Hall | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Ōbaku |
| Deity | Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni) |
| Status | Head Temple |
| Location | |
| Location | 34 Sanban-wari, Goka-shō, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°54′51.32″N 135°48′21.83″E / 34.9142556°N 135.8060639°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen), Muyan |
| Completed | 1661 |
| Website | |
| http://www.obakusan.or.jp/ | |
History
The temple was founded in 1661 by the Chinese monk Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen), officially opening in 1963.[3]
In 1664, control of the temple passed to Muyan, after which many Chinese monks followed as head priests.[4] Only the fourteenth priest and his successors are Japanese.[5]
On May 21, 1673 (Enpō 1, 5th day of the 4th month) Yinyuan (Ingen) died at the temple.[6]
The art of Senchadō is closely tied to the temple due to its founder.[7]
Architecture
The temple structures were constructed in Ming China's architectural style.[8]
The arrangement of buildings also follows Ming Dynasty architectural style, representing an image of a dragon.
The temple features an exemplary gyoban (fish board, used to toll the hours).[9]
Art
The temple's main statue is a seated Gautama Buddha. Sculptures by the Chinese sculptor known as Han Do-sei[10] and latticed balustrades can also be seen.
Above the gate of the temple is a carving of the Chinese Characters "義一第", (read right-to-left, "The First Principle") carved from the writing of Imakita Kosen and said to have been the artist's eighty-fifth attempt before he finally wrote with a mind free from the distraction of a pupil's criticism.[11]
The temple treasure house contains a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures commissioned by Tetsugen Doko and completed in 1678, comprising approximately 60,000 printing blocks which are still in use.[12][13] The production of the printing blocks was funded by donations collected throughout the country for many years and through many troubles.[13]
Gallery
Balustrades, in manji-kuzushi (卍崩し, simplified swastika) style
Gate
Altar to Kansei Teikun
Statue of Hotei
See also
- Japanese Buddhism
- Zen
- Egoku Dōmyō
- Glossary of Japanese Buddhism—explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture
Notes
References
- Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 251800045; see also Imprimerie Royale de France, OCLC 311322353
External links
Media related to Manpuku-ji at Wikimedia Commons
- Manpuku-ji – official page (map) (in Japanese)