Myōshin-ji, Buddhist nunnery in Shingu, Japan.
Myōshin-ji is a Buddhist nunnery located in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, serving as a temple dedicated to the worship of Ai Jō Myō-ō and maintaining close connections with the local Karga Shrine.
Founded in 794 AD during the reign of monk Ennin as a Tendai sect monastery, the temple later transitioned to embrace Zen and Shingon Buddhist practices during the medieval Kamakura period.
The temple upholds traditional Buddhist ceremonies including monthly fire rituals, meditation classes, and the annual Ai Jō Myō-ō Bodhisattva Festival held every February that attracts regional pilgrims seeking blessings.
Visitors can reach Myōshin-ji by taking the JR train to Shingu Station followed by a bus ride or 15-minute walk, with temple grounds open year-round and guided tours available upon request.
The temple houses an ancient wooden alms bowl believed to have been used by founder Ennin during early offerings, now designated as a cultural asset by Wakayama Prefecture.
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