Sight for a weary heart: the five-storied pagoda at Temple 70
70 Motoyama-Ji
Headquarters Temple
Niwang gate or Nio-mon Gate, which was built in the late Kamakura period, is a nationally designated important cultural property.
A five-storied pagoda stands prominently on the large temple grounds. It is one of four five-storied pagodas on Shikoku pilgrimage along with Chikurinji (31), Shidoji (86), and Zentsuji (75).
Bato Kannon Bosatsu
The only place to bury a horse is
in the heart of his master.
Motoyamaji is the only temple where the principal image Bato Kannon Bosatsu (Hayagriva) is enshrined. He has a horse’s head on his head. This terrifying aspect expresses compassion’s fierce determination to scare help us overcome inner egotism and outer obstructions.
Juodo, Ireido (hall of repose), and the Kyakuden (reception hall) are all reminders of the past glory days as a large temple.
The heart of the temple
Walkway leading to main hall.
The Hondo or main hall is a National Treasure and the heart of the temple.
Practicing Buddhists and pilgrims pray and recite the heart sutra at the front of the hondo. Prayers are also recited at the daishido, memorials, and other structures.
It is unusual to see a statue of Kobo Daishi walking!
Horse statues close by the main temple.
Daishido (Daishi hall).
The temple fountain renews both heart and soul.
Akado (Dainichido) is painted in vermillion but, here, it looks a bit faded now.
Temple office.
Chinju-do, built in the 16th century, is a cultural property. It has a cypress-skinned reed thatched roof. The structure has been restored three times since then. The last renovation was completed in 1993.
Juwang Hall, Okuden
The sun takes a eclipse-like peek from behind the pagoda.
Main gate and bell tower. This gate is an exit way to the next temple.
Peace everywhere I go
More new young friends on the trail. They took the message of the peace sign to heart.
See you next time.
Baadaye and Mata Ne
Shirley J 🌸
This and several posts this summer will chronicle my pilgrimage in Japan where I am walking the 1200 kilometer-long Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Read my announcement here.
I am excited, and I am here, still walking. And just know this, I will return to tell the tale!
T70
2 thoughts on “🌸 Noire Henro-San: In The Heart of A Master”
We had a very nice Thanksgiving here. Went for a walk around the block in the morning, when it was still (just barely) below freezing, but there was no wind, so we were fine. Stayed home all day, with me working in the shop (I’m making a small lidded bowl – often small things take longer than large) and my sweetie in the house. After lunch, I wrote our first three Christmas cards and baked a small ham and some sweet potatoes for our simple dinner. After dinner, we watched “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” which was a fun distraction from the issues of the world.
I hope you had a day as nice!
I like that. It sounds like you had a full and enjoyable day at home. My day was relaxing…I did not send out a post ;).
🌸