Kuhonji, Buddhist temple in Gose, Japan
Kuhonji is a Buddhist temple on Kaina-san mountain in Nara Prefecture, with a wooden statue of Amitabha Buddha as its main deity. The temple grounds hold one thousand stone Buddha statues carved into the hillside.
Monk Gyoki founded the temple during the Nara period and later contributed to building the Great Buddha at Todai-ji under Emperor Shomu's rule. This connects the site to one of Japan's most significant Buddhist monuments.
The thousand stone Buddha statues on the temple grounds were created by the Narahara clan during the Nanbokucho period to honor their fallen warriors. This collection shows how a local family preserved their history through religious art.
The temple is located at Narahara 1188 in Gose City and offers parking for visitors. No restroom facilities are available on site, so plan accordingly.
The name Kuhonji comes from Sanskrit and represents nine distinct ranks reflecting different levels of human dignity. This ranking system reflects ancient Buddhist teachings about human worth.
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