Deity Yakushi Nyorai Website Ryōsen-ji Phone +81 742-45-0081 | Country Japan Completed 736 | |
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Location 3879 Nakamachi, Nara
631-0052 Affiliation Ryōsen-ji Shingon Buddhism Address Japan, 〒631-0052 Nara Prefecture, Nara, 中町3879 Similar Daian‑ji, Nakano Museum of Art, Shin‑Yakushi‑ji, Enjō‑ji, Hannya‑ji Temple Profiles | ||
Ryōsen-ji (霊山寺) is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. Founded in the eighth century, the Hondō is a National Treasure and a number of other buildings and temple treasures have been designated Important Cultural Properties.
Contents
History
In the late seventh century Ono no Tobito erected a set of public baths on Mount Tomi outside Nara and enshrined an image of Yakushi. In 734 Emperor Shōmu instructed Gyōki to erect a hall on the site, and two years later the Indian monk Bodhisena, noticing a resemblance to the Vulture Peak, founded the Ryōsen-ji. The Hondō was rebuilt in 1283. Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted the temple lands valued at a hundred koku. In the Meiji period many of the monk's quarters were abandoned and over two hundred images were burned. Restored in 1940, the temple has been revived.
Buildings
Treasures
Jūrokusho Jinja
Jūrokusho Jinja (十六所神社) is now an independent shrine, but before the Meiji period served Ryōsen-ji in a tutelary capacity. The Honden (1384) and subordinate Sumiyoshi Jinja Honden and Ryūō Jinja Honden (both 1386) have been designated Important Cultural Properties.