Manpukuin, Buddhist temple in Naka-ku, Japan
Manpukuin is a Buddhist temple complex with multiple teak-wood buildings connected by covered walkways lined with traditional lanterns and bordered by pine trees. The layout incorporates architectural features that reflect Chinese Buddhist building traditions combined with Japanese design sensibilities.
The temple was founded in 1661 by Chinese monk Yinyuan Longqi and maintained Chinese leadership for many generations, preserving a direct link to mainland Buddhist traditions. This Chinese-led lineage fundamentally shaped both the architectural character and spiritual practices of the temple.
The temple remains a living center for Zen meditation practice, where visitors can observe monks engaged in their daily training routines. The wooden printing blocks kept here serve as working tools for producing religious texts, keeping a centuries-old craft active within the temple grounds.
Visitors can join meditation sessions and participate in copying traditional Buddhist texts, with vegetarian temple meals available by reservation in advance. Allow time to wander the grounds and experience the quiet pathways connecting the various buildings at a leisurely pace.
The temple buildings are arranged in a dragon-shaped pattern, a distinctive layout rarely seen in Japanese temple design. This thoughtful arrangement combined practical space planning with symbolic meaning, reflecting the Chinese architectural heritage of the complex.
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