Gyukoji, Buddhist temple in Kōchi, Japan
Gyukoji is a Buddhist temple in Kōchi featuring a striking five-story pagoda built in 1980 alongside traditional shrine buildings. The grounds include multiple structures arranged across the landscape, creating a layered spatial composition typical of Japanese temple complexes.
Emperor Shomu ordered the temple's founding in the 8th century, instructing the monk Gyoki to locate a mountain resembling China's Wu-t'aisan. This establishment was part of a broader campaign to build Buddhist temples throughout the realm.
Students come to pray before the Monju Bosatsu statue, a National Treasure, hoping for success in their examinations. This practice reflects the temple's role as a place where visitors seek guidance for important life challenges.
The temple is open to visitors daily during daylight hours and welcomes both individuals and groups. Plan to spend time exploring multiple buildings and the garden, as the full experience requires walking across different areas of the grounds.
The grounds include a National Treasure garden designed with Northern Chinese principles, featuring a pond set against a hillside. This garden merges Eastern artistic traditions with natural landscape, creating a space that echoes the temple's original vision.
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