ENGAKU-JI

by Ala on in Japan - Kamakura

Engaku-ji ranks second among five top Zen temples of Kamakura

Hojo Tokimune (1251-1284) lead the Japanese army against the invasion of the Mongols. He had always embraced Zen and thus he invited  Zen Master Mugaku Sogen, a high-ranking priest and monk from China. Mugaku Sogen founded Engaku-ji in 1282 mainly to honor the war dead from both sides of the conflict.

Zen Master Mugaku Sogen (1226-1286) was born in China and committed himself to the ascetic practices to become a priest at the age of 12 (maybe as soon as 11).  In 1279 when he arrived in Japan upon the invitation of Hojo Tokimune, Japan was in the midst of the battles against Mongolia and he was initially the abbot of Kencho-ji.

Mugaku Sogen: “The fact that we are living here, now, in the present – this is the true meaning of the existence of the Buddha. Nothing is more precious than this.  How marvelous this is! How important this is to realize from the bottom of one´s heart! This is the way in which all of us, each of us in our own fashion, will awaken to the truth and each live, in our own way, a cheerful and happy life. This is the teaching of Zen”.

BIY AKUROKUDO – WHITE DEER CAVE – On the opening day a herd of white deer out of this cave on the temple grounds listened to the sermon of Zen Master Mugaku Sogen together with the crowd
Sanmon – Main Gate – Walk through and break off this world  to pray to the principal image of Buddha in the Butsuden with a purified mind. This gate was rebuilt in 1785
ENGAKU KOSHO ZENJI – framed caligraphy written by the retired Emperor Fushimi, 92nd emperor of Japan (1265-1317)  is on the San-Mon of Engaku-ji     
Butsuden – Main hall – is from 1964 because the original building collapsed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923
Butsuden is dedicated to Hokan Shaka Nyorai, the principal object of worship of Engaku-ji
Butsuden – detail
Kojirin = Zen meditation hall for Koji = lay trainees of Zen. General public can attend Zen meditation sessions here

Kaikibyo = Patron´s Mausoleum – Dedicated to Hojo Tokimune, Engaku-ji´s Patron. Rebuilt in 1811
Biyakushin – Juniper – is said to have been planted by Zen Master Mugaku Sogen, the Founder of Engaku-ji, which makes it more than 700 years old
Hojo – is used for functions as religious rituals, Zen meditation sessions… 

< Karamon – Gate For Imperial Envoys – from 1839. The shape of the roof resembles a bow on its side and is called Karahafu[/caption]