Kōmyō-in, Buddhist temple in Suginami-ku, Japan
Kōmyō-in is a Buddhist temple in Suginami-ku located on elevated ground near the Zempukujigawa River, housing a main hall with statues of Senju Kannon and Fudomyoo. The grounds include several buildings and garden areas that together form a connected temple complex.
The temple was founded in 708 when Buddhist priest Gyoki carved a Kannon statue and built a structure to house it. This beginning grew into the temple that remains at this location today.
The temple preserves traditional Buddhist practices without commercial activities, inviting visitors to find inner quiet through meditation spaces and garden areas. The spiritual character shows itself in the carefully tended spaces where people come to spend time in stillness.
The temple is reachable in about 10 minutes on foot from JR Koenji Station or about 5 minutes from Tokyo Metro Shin-Koenji Station. Visitors can explore the grounds easily on foot, as the area is compact and simple to navigate.
The grounds house a statue of Emma Daio, the Judge of the Afterlife, in a dedicated hall. This lesser-known statue draws those interested in the different deities of Buddhist tradition.
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