Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Ryōsen ji (Nara)

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Deity
  
Yakushi Nyorai

Website
  
Ryōsen-ji

Phone
  
+81 742-45-0081

Country
  
Japan

Completed
  
736

Ryōsen-ji (Nara)

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

  • Hondō (1283), 5x6 bay, irimoya-zukuri, tiled roof (National Treasure)
  • Niōmon (1516), three bay, one door (Important Cultural Property)
  • Three storey pagoda (1356), hinoki bark roof (ICP)
  • Shōrō (mid-Muromachi period), single bay, irimoya-zukuri, hinoki bark roof (ICP)
  • Treasures

  • Wall painting inside the three-storey pagoda (late Kamakura period to Nambokuchō period) (ICP)
  • Seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (ICP)
  • Statues of Nikkō Bosatsu and Gakkō Bosatsu (ICP)
  • Zushi (1285) (ICP)
  • Statues of Jūni Shinshō (Kamakura period) (ICP)
  • Plaque of Buddha triad (Hakuhō period) (ICP)
  • Seated statue of Amida Nyorai (twelfth century) (ICP)
  • Seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai (late Heian period) (ICP)
  • Statue of Jūichimen Kannon (early Heian period) (ICP)
  • Statue of Bishamonten (twelfth century) (ICP)
  • Statues of Jikokuten and Bishamonten (late Kamakura period) (ICP)
  • Statue of Jizō Bosatsu (1256) (ICP)
  • Pendant disc of Yakushi triad (1366) (ICP)
  • Pendant disc (Kamakura period) (ICP)
  • Seated statue of Gyōki
  • Seated statue of Bodhisena
  • 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.

    References

    Ryōsen-ji (Nara) Wikipedia