中禅寺, Buddhist temple in Ueda, Japan.
Chuzenji Temple comprises multiple prayer halls connected by covered walkways, situated within traditional Japanese gardens featuring stone lanterns and maple trees. The layout follows a clear arrangement of spaces designed to facilitate both worship and circulation through the grounds.
The temple was established during the Kamakura period when the Sōtō school expanded in the region, becoming a center of Buddhist learning and practice. Powerful regional clans including the Hōjō family provided patronage until political shifts altered the region in the 1330s.
This temple reflects the daily spiritual life of the Sōtō school of Buddhism, which visitors can observe in the monks' chanting and ritual practices throughout the day. The temple grounds themselves are organized around this religious rhythm, with each space designed to support both ceremonial and contemplative activities.
The temple lies roughly 15 minutes on foot from Ueda Station and welcomes visitors to explore the main hall and gardens. The grounds are generally accessible most days, and it is worth setting aside enough time to walk through the different areas without rushing.
The temple houses wooden seated statues from 1329 carved by craftsman Hyobu, offering rare documentation of how medieval Buddhist priests actually appeared. These sculptures provide direct visual evidence of the iconography and representation of religious figures during that era.
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