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The temple was originally built in 1164 AD at the request of the
emperor. This is the outside of the hall which holds the treasures
of Sanjusangendo. Enormously long, it has stood for over 700 years.
The courtyard outside the hall is quite serene and picturesque.
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Here
is a small wash basin, of a type which is normally found outside
any temle or shrine. To purify yourself you scoop up water with
a wooden spoon and pour it over your hands. The clothing on the
statues is significant. The red on these is an offering for all
unborn fetuses.
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| The adjacent
hall along the courtyard is very impressive. It holds several small
shrines, but the real treasure lies inside the main hall.
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| "Sanjusangendo"
means a hall with 33 bays. The number 33 is sacred in Buddhism, for
it is believed that Buddha saves mankind by disguising himself in
33 different forms. The 33 bays hold 1,001 statues of Kannon-Bosatsu!
Each small image is 5 1/2 feet tall, carved out of wood and leafed
in gold. In the center, the principal image of Kannon is 11 feet tall.
It was an amazing sight. |
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This
is the central Kanon statue.
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Thirty
statues stand in front of the 1,001 statues of Kannon-Bosatsu. Two
of them are the gods of wind and thunder, the others are spirits
called "Ninju-hachibushu". They attend to Kannon-Bosatsu and through
which qualities such as beauty, wisdom, prosperity, etc. are deified.
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Raijin
(God of Thunder)
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Basusennin
(Vasu)
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Sanjusangendo
Temple is not to be
missed if you are visiting Kyoto!
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