Hasedera, Buddhist temple in Kurayoshi, Japan
Hasedera is a Buddhist temple built along a mountain slope, featuring a main hall that houses an Eleven-Headed Kannon statue standing 9.18 meters tall. The structure uses the natural slope cleverly to connect multiple levels together.
The temple was founded in 686 and is the principal temple of the Buzan School within Shingon Buddhism. It has shaped the Buddhist landscape of Japan through a vast network of affiliated temples for over 1000 years.
The temple serves as the eighth station on the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage, drawing pilgrims from across Japan to continue their spiritual journey here. Monks conduct daily rituals that shape the religious life of the place.
The climb to the main hall follows 399 stone steps that pass through gardens with seasonal flowers and traditional architectural elements. The path is well marked and allows visitors to explore the surroundings at their own pace.
During special ceremonies, participants can touch the feet of the Kannon statue, revealing marks from centuries of devoted worship. This physical connection links visitors directly to a long tradition of faithful pilgrims.
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