Ryūō-ji, Buddhist temple in Ryūō, Japan
Ryūō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ryūō featuring a renowned stone garden where 15 rocks are arranged in specific groups surrounded by carefully raked pebbles. The complex also houses an ancient seated sculpture of Amida Nyorai and several imperial burial sites for past emperors.
The temple was founded as part of a Fujiwara clan estate and later became a ceremonial site for imperial burials, including emperors Uda and Kazan. Over centuries, its stone garden evolved into one of Japan's most significant meditation landscapes.
The temple takes its name from its tutelary deity Ryūō, and people visit to seek blessings and good fortune. Religious life here centers on reverence for Amida Nyorai, which appears in daily rituals and shapes how the garden is designed.
The temple is easy to reach on foot, and the stone garden can be visited year-round with the best views of the rocks in early morning hours. Some areas may close during religious ceremonies, so it helps to check ahead about current access.
The Muryoju Garden features a special stone arrangement where a central stone represents Amida Nyorai flanked by stones symbolizing the Buddha Triad. This layout was an inventive way to express religious concepts through garden design.
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