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Daishoin Temple is an ancient Shingon

Buddhist temple built at the foot of the sacred Mt Misen. During the time

of fusion period of Shintoism and Buddhism, this

distinguished temple governed all priests in Miyajima and was in charge of religious

ceremonies of Itsukushima Shrine.Including Mt. Misen, Daishō-in is within

the World Heritage Area of Itsukushima Shrine

Daishō-in was founded by the monk Kūkai, also known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi, in the year 806, the 1st year of the Daidō era

Garden dedicated to Kokūzō Bosatsu (Âkâśagarbha)

Garden dedicated to Kokūzō Bosatsu (Âkâśagarbha)

Garden dedicated to Kokūzō Bosatsu (Âkâśagarbha)

Jizo with 12 Zodiac Animals

The bodhisattva of hell-beings, as well as the guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture, known as Jizō or Ojizō-sama.

Rakan Statue

Shaka Nehan Hall Shaka Nehan Hall

Shaka Nehan HallThe image shows Shaka Nyorai, or Shaka Buddha, entering Nirvana surrounded by his sixteen disciples

Tengu, with wings and long nose, have been considered to possess supernatural powers since ancient times.Various Tengu legends and faiths were created, leading them to deification. Tengu are indispensable to the holy sites in mountains

Tengu at Daisho-in TempleClink, clink! The sound of beating clappers coming from nowhere of midnight darkness. Legend has it that the Tengu (a long-nosed goblin) living in Mt. Misen does it and is greatly scared by residents since it could bring curses unless one is staying indoors during clinking

Mani Wheels (spinning metal prayer wheels) Spinning the wheel is believed to invite blessings equivalent to reading one volume of the Hannya-shinkyon or Heart Sutra

Man

i Whe

els

Miyajima Daisho-in temple

Miyajima Hakkaku Manpuku Hall 

Miyajima Daisho-in temple

Hakkaku Manpuku

octagonal hall

Hakkaku Manpuku octagonal hall

Hakkaku Manpuku Hall Miyajima’s famous Seven Deities of Good Fortune are enshrined in this octagonal hall. Believed to invite good fortune, a ceremony to appreciate these deities is held on July 7th every year. (7/7)

The Seven Deities of Good Fortune (Shichi Fukujin)The seven gods are often depicted on their ship, the Takarabune, or "Treasure Ship. The tradition holds that the seven gods will arrive in town on the New Year and distribute fantastic gifts to worthy people.

Children often receive red envelopes emblazoned with the Takarabune which contain gifts of money around the New Year. The Takarabune and its passengers are often depicted in art in varied locations, from the walls of museums to cuddly caricatures

Maniden Hall is the main prayer hall where Sanki Daigongen, or the Three Awesome Deities of Mt. Misen, are enshrined

One thousand images of Amida Nyorai, or Buddha of Infinite Light, believed to take the deceased to West Paradise, have been donated by worshippers.

Amida Nyorai, or Buddha of Infinite Light

Countless worshippers come and pray asking

for contentment in their daily lives, good health and

longevity

Prayers accompanied by a

taiko drum are offered every day

Wood carving details

Maniden Hall

Maniden Hall

Maniden Hall

The temple’s priests offer eternal memorial services for the ancestors of the worshippers

Rokuharamitsu Jizo Statues: the six perfections (Giving, Morality, Patience, Energy, Meditation, Wisdom)

Henjokutsu Cave

Henjokutsu CaveIn this dimly lit cave are the

sand and the principal Buddhist icons of the eighty

eight temples of the prestigious pilgrimage route

on Shikoku

Worshippers believe that they are given the same blessings as people who make the pilgrimage to all the temples on the route

Henjokutsu Cave where the

principal images of the 88 temples

of Shikoku are enshrined is

located below Daishi-do Hall

Sect's founder, Kobo Daishi, first began the practice of Buddhism on the island of Miyajima

Ema: Offerings and wishes at Daisho-in temple

Omikuji (fortune tags), random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples

Amida Nyorai Hall

Jizo with 12 Zodiac Animals

Jizo with 12 Zodiac Animals

Mizukake JizoSeven Jizo Bosatsu images are placed here, centered on the one believed to redeem the spirits of deceased babies and children

Mizukake Jizo

Worshippers pour water on each of the Jizo images to console the souls of the loved ones

Mizukake Jizo

By pouring water from the ladle over a Jizo statue you bring consolation to the souls of the loved ones

Ganesh

A chōzuya or temizuya is a Shinto purification fountain for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu

Daytime with the sun become shorter, the wind become little bit getting cold, the tree become colorful from fresh green. In Japan, they call it “Aki”. Autumn in English

In this temple there is a flame which is said to have been burning since its foundation, for more than 1200 years

The five colors of the Japanese Buddhist flag represent the Five Wisdom Buddhas, or alternately the colors of the Buddha's hair

The maples, at their peak, made Daishoin currently

the best spot to view autumn

colors in Miyajima

Daisho-in is the 14th temple in the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 

Daisho-in is famous for the maple trees and their autumn colors

Local women usually take care of Jizo statues and provide them with hand-knitted hats and hand-sewn bibs

Descending to Niomon gate

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Nicoleta Leu InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Japanese folk song Momiji by Teiichi Okano on flute 2016