Zenjibu-ji is a Shingon Buddhist Temple located in Nankoku, Kōchi, Japan. It is the 32nd temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.[1]
| Zenjibu-ji | |
|---|---|
禅師峰寺 | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shingon |
| Location | |
| Location | Kōchi-ken |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°31′36″N 133°36′41″E / 33.526694°N 133.611389°E |
| Website | |
| http://www.88shikokuhenro.jp/32zenjibuji/ | |
History
According to the temple records, under imperial decree from Emperor Shōmu, the temple hall was created in order to pray for the safety of Gyōki during a sea voyage. Later, Kūkai sensed the hall as a sacred place, and while performing a goma carved Kannon as the honzon of the temple. Due to the shape of the mountain the temple was located on being shaped like the eight-leafed lotus and Mount Potalaka, Kūkai prayed to Akasagarbha, and named the temple Gumonji-in Zenjibu-ji (求聞持院禅師峰寺).
The Honzon is called Funadama Kannon (船魂（ふなだま）の観音 lit. ship spirit Kannon) as it was an area that fishermen would gather in prayer, and used a temple to pray for safe voyage since the rule of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, often prior to departure towards Edo for the sankin-kotai. [2]