Daisenji Temple

My family temple, Daisenji, was founded by Donkei Shonin in 1429 and my father is its 34th resident minister.  Unfortunately, the temple lost many historical documents because of the fire several times in the last 500 years, but the statue of Amida Buddha is said to be created by Donkei in 1429. 

 

In 1616, the lord Ietsugu Sakai who was known as a cousin of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa was assinged to govern the Joetsu area and then the temple received a sponsoreship and financial support from the Sakai family.

 

In 1816, a wellknown Jodoshu priest, Tokuhon Shonin stayed at Daisenji during his missionary trip and many people became followers of Nembutsu and Nenbutsu-ko group was also organized.

This stone is called "Myogo-seki" which means "Stone of the Holy Name."   It says "Namu Amida Butsu" calligraphed by Tokuhon Shonin.  This was dedicated in the late 1820 to commemorate Tokuhon Shonin's visit at Daisenji.

Daisenji also have placed 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas from the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.  These statues are of course replicas of the original statues but have been here for hundreds years.   Temple became known as a place where one can pray all 33 Kannon Bodhisattvas without visiting all 33 temples for hundreds miles.

Binzuru-sonja or  Pindola Bharadvaja, is one of the popular images here at Daisenji Temple.  On his left hand, he is holding a treasure ball which can be disattached and touched to the body for healing since Binzuru is well-known for his gift of healing. 

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