Ennin-ji, Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku, Japan
Ennin-ji is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku featuring multiple wooden buildings connected by covered walkways. The grounds include traditional Japanese gardens and pathways designed for walking meditation and quiet reflection.
The temple was founded in the mid-9th century and named after the Buddhist monk Ennin, who brought new practices from his travels in China. These teachings shaped the temple's development for generations.
The temple serves as a working place of worship where daily rituals and ceremonies shape the rhythm of spiritual life for followers who gather here.
The temple can be reached by local bus, making it accessible to most visitors. It is best to arrive in the morning when the grounds are quietest and you can move through the spaces at your own pace.
The meditation paths on the temple grounds follow ancient Buddhist design principles aimed at deepening focus and inner stillness. Many visitors overlook how deliberately each pathway is laid out to support specific contemplative states during their walk.
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