Jōdo-in, Buddhist temple in Sakyo district, Kyoto, Japan
Jōdo-in is a temple located north of Ginkaku-ji, featuring traditional Japanese architecture with a main hall housing a seated Amida Buddha statue. The setting has a quiet character typical of Buddhist prayer halls in this region.
The temple developed from a Tendai sect monastery called Jodoji that existed during the Heian period until its destruction in the Onin War. The current Jōdo-in later emerged from the remains of that earlier site.
The temple maintains an important ritual for Kyoto's Obon festival, with monks chanting sutras as fires are lit on the mountainside each year. This annual ceremony connects the location to the city's living traditions and marks a significant moment in the local calendar.
The location is about 10 minutes' walk from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop and sits at 30 Ginkakuji-cho in Sakyō-ku district. The path is easy to follow and passes through a quiet neighborhood with other temples nearby.
The temple houses a black Buddha statue from the Fujiwara period, a rare example of sculpture from that distant era. This ancient artwork draws regular visits from art historians and collectors interested in such pieces.
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