Heirin-ji

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Heirin-ji
Front gate at Heirinji
Information
Denomination:	Rinzai
Founded:	1375
Founder(s):	Sekishitsu Zenkyu
Country:	Saitama, Japan
Phone:	048-477-1242
Website
Portal:Buddhism

Heirin-ji is a Rinzai temple of the Myoshin-ji branch located in Saitama, Japan—just outside of Tokyo in Niiza city. Founded originally in Iwatsuki, Saitama in 1375 by Sekishitsu Zenkyu—also the Abbot of Engaku-ji, Tenryuji and Shofuku-ji during this period—the original temple was destroyed in 1590 during an attack on Iwatsuki Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Rebuilt in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the temple moved to Niiza city sixty years later. The grounds are situated in a forest area, considered today to be a national monument. Heirin-ji differs from many other temples in the Tokyo area in the lack of a temple market. Also there are no public festivals held at the temple. Rather the temple remains a training ground for monks. The monks can often be seen working in the grounds. The grounds of the temple preserve a stretch of the Musashino woodlands. Many creatures, such as Raccoon Dogs that are now not often seen in the city are found here. The grounds also provide a roost for a large colony of Jungle Crows. The gardens are notable for the maple trees in autumn and the ume blossoms in early spring. The bell, with the ume blossom, was the inspiration for one of Toshi Yoshida's wood block prints.^[1][2]

[edit] Gallery

Temple bell of Heirinji.	Nio, a temple guardian.	Nio, a temple guardian.	The thatched inner gate.
The temple bell.	A statue of Kannon a goddess of mercy.	Maple tree in autumn at Heirinji

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Hiroshi Watanabe (2001). The Architecture of Tokyo. Edition Axel Menges. ISBN 3930698935. 
• McDonagh, Michael. Now and Zen. Metropolis. Retrieved on 2008-01-20.

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