Gantoku-ji, Buddhist temple in Nishikyō-ku, Japan
Gantoku-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Ōharano area of Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto. The grounds hold several traditional wooden buildings arranged around a garden that draws from the natural landscape of the surrounding hills.
The temple was founded in 679, during the early Nara period, when Buddhism was spreading rapidly across Japan. The Ōharano area west of the capital became an early center of religious activity during this time.
Gantoku-ji is one of the stops on the Kyoto Rakusai Kannon Pilgrimage, a circuit of temples along the western edge of Kyoto. Pilgrims walk from one temple to the next, leaving lotus flower offerings at each stop.
The temple sits in the quiet Ōharano area, a little outside central Kyoto, so it helps to plan the trip in advance. Ceremonies are held regularly, and it is worth checking ahead so they do not interfere with a visit.
The temple keeps a nationally designated wooden statue of Nyoirin Kannon shown in a half-lotus position, considered an outstanding example of early Buddhist sculpture. The pose, with one hand resting against the cheek, is meant to convey deep thought about human suffering.
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