Myōshin-ji

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Myōshin-ji (妙心寺, Myōshin-ji^?) is a temple complex in Kyoto, Japan. The Myōshin-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism is the largest school in Rinzai Zen. This particular school contains within it more than three thousand temples throughout Japan, along with nineteen monasteries. The head temple was founded in the year 1342 by the Zen master Kanzan Egen (1277–1360). Nearly all of the buildings were destroyed in the Ōnin War in 1467; however, many of them have been rebuilt.

A difference between this and other schools of Rinzai Zen is that the Myōshin-ji school does not necessarily follow the set of established kōan for the sake of testing one's stage of enlightenment. Rather the Myōshin-ji school allows the master to specifically tailor kōan to a student's needs and background. This method diverges from the traditionally accepted canon of kōan.

Buildings

• Important Cultural Property of Japan
  • Chokushimon - Built in 1610.
  • Sanmon - Built in 1599.
  • Butsuden - Built in 1827.
  • Hattō - Built in 1656.
  • Dai-hōjō - Built in 1654.
  • Kuri - Built in 1653.
  • Sho-hōjō - Built in 1603.
  • Yokushitsu - Built in 1656.
  • Kyōzō - Built in 1673.
  • Minamimon - Built in 1610.
  • Kitamon - Built in 1610.
  • Genkan - Built in 1654.
  • Shindō - Built in 1656.

Sub-temples

• Taizō-in
• Daishin-in
• Tōrin-in
• Shunkō-in

School

• Hanazono University

See also

• List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
• Goto Zuigan
• Ichibata Yakushi Kyodan
• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.

References

• "Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Myoshinji, a living religion" Jørn Borup, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-16557-1

External links

• Myōshin-ji Official site
• Head Temples of Zen Buddhism
• Shunkōin (a sub-temple of Myōshin-ji)