Tennei-ji, Buddhist temple in Ome, Japan.
Tennei-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ome featuring traditional Japanese architecture with wooden structures and elevated platforms set against the mountainous landscape of western Tokyo. The grounds include meditation halls, a small museum with Buddhist artifacts, and open spaces designed to support contemplative practice.
Founded during the Kamakura period, the temple belongs to the Soto Zen sect and has preserved its original architectural elements through centuries of careful maintenance. This continuity has made the building an important example of Buddhist temple design from that era.
The temple hosts regular meditation sessions and Buddhist ceremonies rooted in the Soto Zen tradition, where visitors can directly participate in mindfulness practices. These daily activities reflect how the community continues to follow meditation as a central part of spiritual life.
Visitors can take part in meditation sessions at the temple grounds and view small museum exhibits explaining Buddhist practices and history. It is helpful to ask staff about meditation schedules in advance, as timing may vary depending on the season and day.
The temple houses a collection of historical artifacts that document how Zen Buddhism practices evolved in Japan over time, adding depth to any visit. These objects reveal changes in Buddhist practice and how they were expressed through physical and ritual forms across different periods.
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