Kōshō-ji, Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku, Japan
Description
Kōshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku in southern Kyoto, made up of several halls and ceremonial areas built in traditional Japanese style. The grounds spread over a large area and include courtyards, gardens and pathways that link the different buildings together.
History
The monk Ryōgen founded the temple in 1321, establishing a new Buddhist community in the region. In 1591, the community moved the temple to its present location near Nishi Honganji to take advantage of the religious expansion happening at the time.
Culture
This temple serves as the central seat of the Shinshu Kōshō-ha school of Buddhism, with monks who lead ceremonies and teach visitors about core Buddhist principles. Believers come here to pray, participate in rituals and connect with the spiritual traditions of their community.
Practical
The temple sits roughly 13 minutes on foot from Kyoto Station and opens daily from 9 AM to 4 PM for visitors. Parking is available on site if you arrive by car.
Did you know?
The grounds house the Litherace Education Center, which opened in 2023 and functions as a modern hub for Buddhist learning and community gatherings. This center combines ancient teaching methods with contemporary approaches to engage both younger and older visitors.
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