#発心の道場
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31. Chikurin-ji: Thirty-First Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #chikurinji #竹林寺 #第31番札所 #第三十一番札所竹林寺
Chikurin-ji, the 31st temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, is a historically significant and serene site on Mount Godaisan in Kōchi. Founded in the 8th century by the priest Ganjin, it was established as a formal monastery for Buddhist study, giving it a distinct scholarly atmosphere. The temple's main hall is a National Treasure, housing a statue of the healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai. A unique and lesser-known feature is its dedicated hall for the Five Great Wisdom Kings (Godai Myōō), highlighting its esoteric practices. The temple's beautiful grounds, famous for autumn colours, blend seamlessly with the adjacent botanical garden, creating a harmonious experience of sacred history and natural beauty.
November 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM
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30. Zenraku-ji: Thirtieth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #zenrakuji #善楽寺 #第30番札所
Zenrakuji (Temple of Good Pleasure), the 30th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, is a welcoming temple in a Kochi neighbourhood. Founded by Kōbō Daishi to pacify a local dragon deity, its atmosphere is warm and communal. The temple is notable for its rare and gently sculpted Senjū Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon), believed to grant wishes, and its charming collection of red-bibbed Jizō statues, which protect local children.
November 2, 2025 at 10:04 AM
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29. Kokubun-ji: Twenty-Ninth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #kokubunji #土佐国分寺 #第29番札所 #国分寺
Tosa Kokubun-ji is a historically significant and serene temple in Nankoku City, known as the 29th stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. Founded in 746 CE as an official provincial temple, its main hall (Kondō) is the oldest building in Kōchi Prefecture and a National Treasure. A massive, ancient banyan tree and a peaceful atmosphere define the temple grounds. A key lesser-known feature is the Jūō-dō Hall, which houses detailed statues of the Ten Kings of the Underworld. It offers a direct and solemn connection to Japan's ancient Buddhist heritage.
November 1, 2025 at 9:42 AM
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28. Dainichi-ji: Twenty-Eight Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #dainichiji #大日寺 #第28番札所
Dainichi-ji is an intimate and serene temple in Konan City, Kōchi, founded by Kūkai, who carved its principal image of Dainichi Nyorai (the cosmic Buddha). Unlike more rugged pilgrimage sites, its flat, compact grounds create a welcoming atmosphere. A lesser-known key feature is the Fudō-in sub-temple, which houses a unique, naturally formed stone revered as the wrathful deity Fudō Myōō, embodying the land's raw spiritual energy. The temple also safeguards an ancient and crucial cultural property, a statue of the Eleven-Headed Kannon. Overall, its atmosphere is one of gentle sanctity, perfectly reflecting its theme as the "Temple of Great Compassion" on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
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27. Kōnomine-ji: Twenty-Seventh Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #konomineji #神峰寺 #第27番札所
Kōnomine-ji, the 27th temple, is a mountain-top temple with an atmosphere of spiritual ascent, originally a sacred site for Shugendō asceticism before becoming a Buddhist temple. Its defining feature is the steep "Staircase to the Summit," which pilgrims climb through a forest to reach the main hall, offering breathtaking views of the ocean. A fascinating, lesser-known detail is the "Coughing Kannon," a statue that pilgrims rub on the chest to cure respiratory ailments. This practice is deeply rooted in the temple's ancient history as a place of healing and harnessing powerful natural energy.
October 30, 2025 at 7:58 AM
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26. Kongōchō-ji: Twenty-Sixth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #Kongochoji #金剛頂寺
Kongōchō-ji (Temple 26) is situated on a hill above Cape Muroto, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific. Founded by Kōbō Daishi in the 9th century and dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai, it is strongly connected to the sea, where Daishi is said to have performed rituals to calm the waters. Highlights include its main and Daishi halls, a treasure hall with ancient artefacts, the expressive “Five Hundred Arhats” statues, and a sacred well linked to Daishi. The temple’s quiet atmosphere, shaped by ocean breezes and open vistas, gives pilgrims a sense of both solemnity and openness.
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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25. Shinshō-ji: Twenty-Fifth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #shinshoji #津照寺 #第二十五番札所津照寺
Nestled in the secluded mountains of Kōchi, Shinshō-ji, the 25th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, offers a deeply tranquil atmosphere. Founded by Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), who is believed to have carved its principal Kannon statue himself, the temple's history is one of ascetic practice. Its structures are spread across a forested hillside, connected by stone paths, approaching each hall on a reflective journey. A captivating, lesser-known feature is its collection of moss-covered Jizō statues, which sit serenely in a grove, watching over pilgrims and enhancing the site's powerful sense of secluded spirituality.
October 28, 2025 at 8:53 AM
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24. Hotsumisaki-ji: Twenty-Fourth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Kōchi, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #kochiprefecture #高知県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #四国 #hotsumisakiji #最御崎寺
Hotsumisaki-ji, the 24th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, is dramatically situated on Cape Muroto, where it is constantly exposed to the mighty Pacific Ocean. Its profound significance comes from its history as the site where Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi) is believed to have attained enlightenment through intense meditation in a seaside cave. The temple's atmosphere is one of raw, elemental power, distinct from more sheltered sites. A key, lesser-known feature is the steep path leading down to that very meditation grotto, allowing pilgrims to directly connect with the intense austerities that founded the pilgrimage tradition.
October 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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23. Yakuō-ji: Twenty-third Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #yakuōji #薬王寺
Yakuō-ji, the Twenty-third Temple, offers a dramatic shift in atmosphere, positioned powerfully where the Pacific Ocean meets the coast of Tokushima. Known as the "Temple of the Medicine King," it is a vibrant centre for healing and purification, renowned for its intense exorcism rituals that cleanse deep karmic sins. The atmosphere is dynamic and visceral, defined by the roar of the ocean and the striking vermilion of its buildings. The temple is brought to life through unique practices, such as the "Kukurizaru", where visitors tie ceramic monkey charms to a fence to leave their troubles behind symbolically, and the "Kaigan Misogi", a predawn ritual that involves standing under a waterfall and walking into the ocean for a profound physical and spiritual cleansing.
October 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
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22. Byōdō-ji: Twenty-second Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #byōdōji #平等寺
Byōdō-ji, the 22nd temple, provides a gentle and comforting stop after the mountainous journey to Tairyū-ji. It is famously known as the "Pot Temple" (Nabe-dera) due to a legend that Kōbō Daishi used his begging bowl to cook a miraculous meal that fed a thousand people during a famine. The temple's atmosphere is warm and rustic, highlighted by a main hall with a rare thatched roof. Its principal Buddha statue, the "Hiki-Yakushi," is unique because it is pulled out on a platform for ceremonies, allowing intimate prayers for healing. The grounds are filled with touching signs of local devotion, such as small Jizō statues wearing red bibs, which emphasise the temple's theme of compassion and community.
October 23, 2025 at 7:32 AM
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21. Tairyū-ji: Twenty-first Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #tairyuji #太龍寺
Tairyū-ji (太龍寺), the Twenty-first Temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, rises high in the mountains of Tokushima and fully lives up to its name, “Great Dragon Temple.” Pilgrims reach it by either hiking up steep, forested paths or taking one of the longest ropeways in Japan, which glides over a dramatic valley and offers sweeping views. The temple grounds feel remote and powerful, surrounded by cedar trees that reinforce its atmosphere of seclusion. Kūkai himself is said to have practised austerities here, and the temple preserves that spiritual weight, with halls and statues that seem to merge with the mountain landscape. Visitors often remark on the sense of awe created by its scale and setting—standing there feels like stepping into a sacred realm, watched over by the mountain’s protective dragon spirit.
October 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
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20. Kakurin-ji: Twentieth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #kakurinji #鶴林寺
Kakurin-ji, the Twentieth Temple, stands as one of the pilgrimage's most challenging ascents, requiring a steep 90-minute climb up Mount Washio. Pilgrims follow a historic path marked by ancient stones to reach the summit, which stands at 470 meters above sea level. The temple's name, "Crane Forest Temple," originates from its founding legend, in which Kobo Daishi witnessed two cranes protecting a sacred statue, prompting him to establish the temple. The climb rewards pilgrims with a serene atmosphere and stunning views. The temple's most prominent feature is its elegant Three-Story Pagoda, a unique and vital cultural property that dates back to the early 19th century. Its remote location saved it from historical fires, preserving its ancient character. Completing the arduous journey to Kakurin-ji marks a significant achievement in a pilgrim's spiritual progress.
October 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
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19. Tatsue-ji: Nineteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #tatsueji #立江寺
Tatsue-ji, the Nineteenth Temple, holds a unique and formidable reputation as the "Total Barrier of Shikoku," a spiritual checkpoint that tests a pilgrim's purity. Its founding legend tells of a white egret that indicated the sacred site to the priest Gyoki, who then carved a Jizo statue to ensure a safe childbirth for an empress. Kobo Daishi later visited and enshrined a much larger statue to protect the original. The temple's role as a judge is central to its identity. Local belief warns that seeing an egret on the bridge to the temple may signal misfortune for those with evil intentions. This theme is powerfully embodied by the **Kurokami-do (Black Hair Hall)**, which displays the hair of a murderous wife that supernaturally tore from her scalp as a sign of her guilt. Despite these stern legends, the temple also offers compassion through its "Child-Easing Jizo" and a stunning main hall with a beautifully painted ceiling, creating a complex experience that challenges pilgrims to proceed with a clear conscience.
October 20, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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18. Onzan-ji: Eighteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #onzanji #恩山寺
Onzan-ji, the Eighteenth Temple, stands on a forested hillside and is renowned for its powerful story of familial love. The temple initially barred women, but when Kobo Daishi's mother travelled to see him, he performed a rigorous ritual to lift the ban. In a moving act of devotion, his mother shaved her head so she could enter as a monastic, leading Kobo Daishi to rename the temple "Mother-Nurturing Mountain, Gratitude Temple" in her honour. The temple grounds today commemorate this story. Visitors can see the spot where his mother shaved her head and a tree Kobo Daishi planted to mark the event. The temple's atmosphere is defined by this narrative of gratitude and sacrifice, offering pilgrims a poignant reflection on compassion before they continue their journey.
October 19, 2025 at 8:31 AM
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17. Ido-ji: Seventeenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #idoji #井戸寺
Ido-ji, the Seventeenth Temple, sits in the heart of Tokushima City and marks the pilgrim's final stop in the pilgrimage's first province. The temple's name, which translates to "Well Temple," originates from its founding legend, in which a priest created a freshwater well to save the village. Kobo Daishi later enshrined the temple's principal image of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine, cementing the site's enduring theme of healing. The temple's central feature is the "Well of Wisdom," from which pilgrims draw water for physical health and mental clarity. A unique statue of the guardian Bishamonten, who holds a flute instead of a weapon, offers a gentle and protective presence. Completing the rituals at Ido-ji prepares pilgrims to cross the Yoshino River and begin the next, more arduous stage of their journey.
October 16, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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16. Kannon-ji (観音寺): Sixteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #kannonji #観音寺
Kannon-ji, the Sixteenth Temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, rests peacefully in Tokushima City and embodies a deep history of compassion and resilience. Founded in the 8th century, the temple's spiritual significance stems from the legendary monk Kobo Daishi, who carved its principal image of Senju Kannon, the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva of Compassion. Despite facing destruction by a 16th-century warlord, the temple was lovingly rebuilt, and it continues to offer pilgrims a serene space for reflection on their journey toward enlightenment. The temple grounds captivate visitors with intimate and poignant details. Two features stand out: the "Crying Jizo," a statue where parents pray for their children's health, and a haunting votive plaque that depicts a pilgrim engulfed in flames as a divine punishment for mistreating her mother-in-law. These powerful elements, along with the striking bell tower gate, make Kannon-ji a memorable stop that emphasises the pilgrimage's core themes of repentance, compassion, and karmic consequence.
October 15, 2025 at 9:53 AM
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Jōraku-ji: Fourteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #jorakuji #常楽寺
Jōraku-ji offers a unique experience on the Shikoku Pilgrimage as the only temple dedicated to Miroku Bosatsu, the future Buddha of compassionate hope. The temple's origin dates back to its founding by Kobo Daishi, who, at the age of 42, had a vision of Miroku Bosatsu and carved its principal image from a sacred tree. Despite being destroyed in war during the 16th century, the temple was rebuilt resiliently in the Edo period and later relocated to its current site, which features a distinctive rock garden. Today, visitors encounter several notable features, including a massive yew tree used for healing prayers and a statue of Jizo Bosatsu, dedicated to children's ailments, alongside a social welfare facility named Jorakuen, which has been caring for children since 1955.
October 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
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Jōraku-ji: Fourteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #jorakuji #常楽寺
Jōraku-ji offers a unique experience on the Shikoku Pilgrimage as the only temple dedicated to Miroku Bosatsu, the future Buddha of compassionate hope. The temple's origin dates back to its founding by Kobo Daishi, who, at the age of 42, had a vision of Miroku Bosatsu and carved its principal image from a sacred tree. Despite being destroyed in war during the 16th century, the temple was rebuilt resiliently in the Edo period and later relocated to its current site, which features a distinctive rock garden. Today, visitors encounter several notable features, including a massive yew tree used for healing prayers and a statue of Jizo Bosatsu, dedicated to children's ailments, alongside a social welfare facility named Jorakuen, which has been caring for children since 1955.
October 11, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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13. Dainichi-ji: (大日寺) Thirteenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #dainichiji #大日寺 #No13DainichiTemple #第13番札所
Dainichiji (Temple 13), also known as the "Great Sun Temple," offers pilgrims spiritual comfort and refreshment after the challenging ascent to Shōsanji. Located in a peaceful valley, it enshrines Dainichi Nyorai (the cosmic Buddha), a statue believed to be carved by Kōbō Daishi. The temple is known for its welcoming atmosphere and its iconic large straw sandal (otsue waraji), which symbolises a prayer for strong, healthy feet for the journey ahead, marking a transition from hardship to serene contemplation on the pilgrimage path.
October 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
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Shōsanji (焼山寺): The Twelfth Temple of Shikoku's Sacred Pilgrimage. #kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #shosanji #焼山寺 #第12番札所
Shōsanji, the twelfth temple on Shikoku's Sacred Pilgrimage, presents pilgrims with their most physically demanding challenge—a steep mountain ascent that requires several hours to complete. Founded in the 8th century by Gyōki and later sanctified by Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), the temple features traditional architecture that harmonises with its natural surroundings. Its spiritual focus centres on Jūichimen Kannon, the Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion. The pilgrimage experience involves austere rituals and potential overnight stays that transform physical effort into spiritual renewal. Beyond religious practice, Shōsanji maintains a significant cultural presence through local folklore, artistic representations, and seasonal festivals that commemorate its legendary origins, making it an unforgettable highlight of the Shikoku pilgrimage circuit.
October 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
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Pt . 2: 10. Kirihata-ji: “Mountain of Ordination”, Tenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage.
#kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #kirihataji #切幡寺
Kirihata-ji, the Tenth Temple on Shikoku, is famous for its large, interactive prayer beads that pilgrims pull to create a loud clicking sound for prayer. It marks a symbolic first rest stop on the pilgrimage and is known for its association with Kōbō Daishi, its serene mountain setting, and its dedication to Senjū Kannon.
September 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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10. Kirihata-ji: “Mountain of Ordination”, Tenth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage.
#kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #kirihataji #切幡寺
Kirihata-ji, the Tenth Temple on Shikoku, is famous for its large, interactive prayer beads that pilgrims pull to create a loud clicking sound for prayer. It marks a symbolic first rest stop on the pilgrimage and is known for its association with Kōbō Daishi, its serene mountain setting, and its dedication to Senjū Kannon.
September 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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Pt. 3: Hōrin-ji: ninth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan.
#kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #horinji #法輪寺
Hōrin-ji (Temple 9) was founded by Kūkai in 815 after he discovered a white snake, considered divine, at the original site. He carved a reclining Parinirvana Shakyamuni statue — the only such honzon on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. After suffering destruction by fire (in 1582 and again later), the temple was relocated in the mid-1600s to its current location and rebuilt. It holds a robe of Kūkai given by Emperor Meiji, and is mainly visited by pilgrims seeking healing for leg or lower-body ailments (symbolised by offerings of straw sandals).
September 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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Pt. 2: Hōrin-ji: ninth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan.
#kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #horinji #法輪寺
Hōrin-ji (Temple 9) was founded by Kūkai in 815 after he discovered a white snake, considered divine, at the original site. He carved a reclining Parinirvana Shakyamuni statue — the only such honzon on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. After suffering destruction by fire (in 1582 and again later), the temple was relocated in the mid-1600s to its current location and rebuilt. It holds a robe of Kūkai given by Emperor Meiji, and is mainly visited by pilgrims seeking healing for leg or lower-body ailments (symbolised by offerings of straw sandals).
September 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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Hōrin-ji: ninth Temple of the Sacred Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tokushima, Japan.
#kobodaishi #弘法大師 #pilgrimage #お遍路 #tokushimaprefecture #徳島県 #shikokupilgrimage #四国遍路 #japan #発心の道場 #shikoku #horinji #法輪寺
Hōrin-ji (Temple 9) was founded by Kūkai in 815 after he discovered a white snake, considered divine, at the original site. He carved a reclining Parinirvana Shakyamuni statue — the only such honzon on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. After suffering destruction by fire (in 1582 and again later), the temple was relocated in the mid-1600s to its current location and rebuilt. It holds a robe of Kūkai given by Emperor Meiji, and is mainly visited by pilgrims seeking healing for leg or lower-body ailments (symbolised by offerings of straw sandals).
September 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM