KENCHO-JI – Alajournal

Kencho-Ji – 1st Rank of the 5 great Zen temples of Kamakura, is the first Zen temple in Japan and the oldest training monastery in Japan.

Founded in 1253 by the Chinese Zen master Rankei Doryu (1213-1278) during the regency of Hojo Tokiyori (1227-1263) to gain national prosperity through Zen. The influence of Zen Buddhist sect was increasing following the rise of samurai to power. The Zen sect has influenced the Japanese society and culture the most of all Buddhist sects. The name of the temple is taken from Kencho Era as work was completed in Kencho Era.

The Chinese characters on the frame of Sómon gate are pronounced KOKUFUSAN and mean “A TEMPLE THAT BRINGS IN ENORMOUS HAPPINESS” and were written by the 10th head of Kencho-ji temple the Chinese Zen priest Issanichinei-zenji

Kencho-Ji Sanmon gate – Main gate – Entering through this gate is said to free you from any form of strong desire, addiction and obsession.

Bonsho – Temple Bell cast in 1255 bears an inscription by the Founder Rankei Doryu

Juniperus Chinensis – Chinese Juniper – planted over 760 years ago at the time of founding the temple from seed the Founder brought from China, 13.5 m high

Butsuden – Buddha Hall – houses the main statue

Jizo-bosaten – promises to save all creatures in both heaven and hell and allow them to rest in peace

Senju-Kannon – Main holy statue – this thousand armed deity has great ability to save people from all forms of ambivalence and thus enlighten them

Unryu-zu – The dragon on the ceiling was painted by the painter Koizumi Junsaku (1924-2012) in commemoration of the 750th anniversary of Kencho-ji Temple. Dimensions are 10x12m

I had observed this statue from a distance and it seemed to me it was a statue of a very old woman. “This is how I would look if I live to be very old” I thought. Then I realized it was a statue of Fasting Buddha. This statue is from Pakistan

Rankei Doryu, a Chinese Zen master of the Sung Dynasty, the Founder of Kencho-ji:

“If you have lost your true self, all phenomena bring you nothing but annoyance. If you discover your essence of mind, you can follow nothing but the true path.”