Naritasan Kurume Bunin, Buddhist temple in Kurume, Japan.
Naritasan Kurume Bunin is a Buddhist temple in Kurume featuring a striking 62-meter-tall concrete Kannon statue accessible by an internal spiral staircase that leads to an observation point. The complex includes an underground passage and a separate 38-meter Peace Buddha Tower that houses a major Buddhist collection.
The temple was established in 1958 as a branch of the renowned Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple from Chiba Prefecture, built to honor the spirits of an adjacent burial site. This connection to one of Japan's most significant Buddhist institutions shaped the spiritual purpose of this location from its inception.
The temple takes its name from a renowned sanctuary in Chiba Prefecture and houses a collection of 300 Buddha statues carved in India from stones originating at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya. These figures are preserved within the Peace Buddha Tower, making this place an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhist devotees.
The temple is easily accessible in Kurume with good public transportation connections throughout the city. Wear comfortable shoes as you will navigate multiple levels and stairs to experience the main attractions and the observation point.
The central Kannon statue is adorned with eighteen 3-carat diamonds set in its forehead and wears crystal on its chest, an unusual combination of spiritual symbolism and luxury materials. Notably, the statue holds a 13-meter-tall infant figure in its arms, a rare depiction that visitors often overlook.
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