Nishi Honganji

Why Nishi Honganji is special ?

Nishi Honganji (West Honganji) was built in 1591 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, after the sect's former head temple, Ishiyama Honganji in Osaka had been destroyed by Oda Nobunaga due to the temple's interference in politics. Nishi Honganji is the head temple of the Honganji faction of the Jodo-Shin sect with over 10,000 subtemples across the country and 200 temples overseas.

Nishi Honganji's two largest structures are the Goeido Hall, dedicated to Shinran, the sect's founder, and the Amidado Hall dedicated to the Amida Buddha, the most important Buddha in Jodo-Shin Buddhism. The temple also displays some surviving masterpieces of architecture from the Azuchi-Momoyama Period and early Edo Period, including the celebrated Hiunkaku Pavilion. Nishi Honganji is designated an UNESCO world heritage site.

Source : http://www.japan-guide.com

What to explore at Nishi Honganji?

Nishi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto is known for its sumptuous Azuchi-Momoyama Period architectural brio as seen by the decoration of mythical Chinese lions (kara-jishi) on this temple gate

The Nishi Honganji Temple complex in downtown Kyoto is known for its massive Founder’s Hall Gate, its two vast and nearly identical temples, and its lovely gardens.

It is also the head temple of the Honganji sect of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. The main draw of the temple is simply its size. The hondo is huge; one of the largest temples in the nation

On the right is a connecting corridor to Hall of Amida Buddha. There is a ritual led by a priest in Amidado and we are provided with chairs (instead of sitting on the floor) to follow the ritual. Going further right is the and administration building. Across the administration building is a bookstore

How to get to Nishi Honganji?

Nishi Honganji is a 10-minute walk northeast of Kyoto Station or take any of buses #9, #28, #205, #207 or #208 to the Nishi-Honganji-mae bus stop.

Source : http://www.japanvisitor.com