Expansive 17th-century temple headquarters of Jodo Shu Buddhism with gardens, events & services.

Universal Studios Japan

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Chion-in Temple

Chion-in Temple, the head temple of the Jodo Shu sect of Buddhism, distinguishes itself through its sheer scale and historical significance. Its massive Sanmon gate, one of the largest wooden gates in Japan, immediately impresses visitors, but it's the temple's unique "Uguisu-bari" or nightingale floors in the main hall that truly captivate. These floors were designed to chirp like birds when stepped upon, acting as an ingenious security system against intruders. Beyond the main structures, the Yuzen-en Garden, named after the Yuzen dyeing technique, offers a serene escape with its meticulously crafted landscapes. A lesser-known treasure is the "forgotten umbrella" left by Gotobayashi Hyogo, a carpenter involved in the temple's reconstruction, as a charm against fire. This umbrella is subtly incorporated into the roof structure, a testament to the blend of artistry and spiritual belief. The temple's bell, one of the largest in Japan, requires a team of monks to ring it during special ceremonies, its deep resonant tone echoing throughout the surrounding hills.

Introduction

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto is renowned for its significant "Joya no Kane" ceremony, a New Year's Eve ritual involving the resounding toll of its massive bell. This bell, cast in 1636, stands 3.3 meters tall and weighs over 70 tons, recognized as one of Japan's three largest temple bells. The New Year's Eve ceremony sees a team of 17 monks striking the bell 108 times, a number corresponding to the 108 worldly desires that, according to Buddhist belief, cause suffering. The ritual is intended to purify attendees, ridding them of these desires to ensure a fresh start to the New Year.

The bell-ringing process is a spectacle in itself, requiring a coordinated effort. A lead priest, gripping the main rope, is suspended horizontally in mid-air as he strikes the bell with a 4.5-meter-long wooden beam. The remaining priests pull on an auxiliary rope to amplify the strike. For the first time in four years, since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, there are no admission restrictions to the ritual. The temple gates open at 8:30 p.m. with the bell-ringing ceremony starting at 10:40 p.m.

The deep sound produced by the bell is considered one of Kyoto's most beautiful winter sounds. The ritual symbolizes the washing away of pain and sorrow from the past year, with a welcoming of the New Year. Visitors can witness the monks using their body weight to strike the bell, creating a powerful scene.

Temple Bell Rituals

Chion-in Temple in Kyoto serves as the headquarters of the Jodo-shu, or Pure Land Sect, of Buddhism, one of the most popular Buddhist sects in Japan. It marks the site where Honen, founder of the Jodo sect, settled to teach that salvation could be attained by chanting the nembutsu, "Namu Amida Butsu," with all your heart, seeking refuge in Amida Buddha. Founded by Honen's disciple Genchi in 1234 to honor his master's memory, the temple enshrines Honen's remains in a mausoleum at the far end of the grounds.

The Jodo-Shu teaches that all people can be saved by reciting the name of Amida in faith, offering common people the same opportunity for salvation as priests or aristocrats. The main temple hall, Mieido, stands on the very site where Honen originally built his hermitage to spread the teachings of the Jodo-Shu. The Amidado Hall houses a statue of Amida Buddha, the most important Buddha in the Jodo sect.

Initially affiliated with the Seizan branch of Jodo Shu, Chion-in later came under the control of the Chinzei branch by 1450. The temple flourished under the patronage of the Tokugawa Shogunate, with three generations of Shoguns enshrined in the Gongendo mausoleum: Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Hidetada, and Tokugawa Iemitsu. The temple's architecture also reflects this connection, with roof beams carved with the Tokugawa family crest.

Jodo Sect Buddhism

Mieido Hall, the main hall at Chion-in Temple, enshrines the sacred image of Honen, the founder of the Pure Land Sect. Rebuilt in 1639 by Iemitsu Tokugawa after a fire, the hall stands as a testament to the Tokugawa family's patronage, showcasing the era's finest technology and architectural style, blending Japanese and Chinese elements. Its massive scale, measuring 35 meters in length and 45 meters in width, includes a three-meter wide verandah encircling the entire structure, making it a central place for worshippers.

A major 10-year renovation completed in 2020 restored the building's splendor. During the renovation, a warehouse was built around the hall, causing construction noise throughout the temple complex.

Within Mieido Hall, visitors can discover the "forgotten umbrella," one of Chion-in's seven wonders, along with door stoppers shaped like a water imp, turtle, and cicada, and the "leftover tiles" on the roof. The hall comes alive during services for Bon-e, Higan-e, Gyoki daie, and the O-minugui-shiki ceremony, drawing numerous worshippers. As the heart of the Chion-in temple complex, Mieido Hall has welcomed countless visitors seeking solace and spiritual enrichment.

Mieido Hall

The Sanmon Gate at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto, constructed in 1621 by Tokugawa Hidetada, the second Tokugawa shogun, stands as Japan's largest wooden temple gate. Towering at approximately 24 meters in height and 50 meters in width, it is an imposing structure comprising around 70,000 roof tiles. This massive two-story gate serves as the main entrance to the temple complex and is a designated Japanese National Treasure. Inside, the gate houses a Buddhist worship hall adorned with images of Shakamuni Buddha and sixteen of his disciples. The ceiling, beams, and pillars feature vibrant depictions of heavenly maidens and flying dragons.

While typically closed to the public, special viewings offer visitors a glimpse of the Shiraki-no-hitsugi (the Plain wood coffins), one of Chion-in’s seven wonders, alongside the gate's glorious interior adornments. The sheer scale of the Sanmon Gate is a testament to the power of the Tokugawa shogunate, which financed Chion-in's reconstruction in 1633, signifying the supremacy of the Jodo sect. Its presence sets the tone for the grand scale of the temple buildings within. The Sanmon is not only an architectural marvel but also a cultural symbol, embodying the rich history and religious significance of Chion-in Temple.

Chion-in Temple

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