Matsuo Kannon-ji, Buddhist temple in Ise, Japan.
Matsuo Kannon-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ise with two halls housing Buddhist statues, including an eleven-faced Kanzeon Bosatsu and a Jizo Bosatsu in wooden structures. Inside, thousands of hand-written copies of the Lotus Sutra were discovered in 1954 during roof construction work.
The temple was founded in 712 by high priest Gyoki during the Nara period and later received protection from the Kitabatake clan, governors of Ise. A major turning point came in 1403 when fire threatened the structures.
The temple's name comes from two ponds behind the Main Hall, where legend says dragons protected the Kannon statue during a fire. Visitors can see these ponds today and understand why this place held deep meaning for people over the centuries.
The temple is located in a quiet area and is easiest to reach by bus, which stops directly near the entrance. It helps to arrive early in the day to explore the halls and grounds without crowds.
Hand-written copies of the Lotus Sutra were hidden inside the roof finial and remained there for nearly 1,000 years. These valuable texts reveal an ancient trust between monks who protected their sacred teachings for future generations.
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