Shitennō-ji, Buddhist temple in Osaka, Japan
Shitennō-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Tennōji ward of Osaka, one of the oldest religious sites in Japan. The grounds feature a five-story pagoda, a golden pavilion housing a Kannon statue, and lecture halls connected by covered corridors and three gates.
Prince Shōtoku founded the temple in 593 to promote Buddhism and give it a permanent place in Japan. Three Korean carpenters from Baekje helped with construction and brought new techniques to the island.
The name honors the four heavenly kings of Buddhism, who appear as guardians at the corners of the complex. Visitors see these figures dressed in traditional armor, worshiped in the same way for centuries.
The complex sits about a five-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station and is easy to reach on foot. The inner precinct requires an entrance fee of 300 yen, while the attached treasure museum costs 500 yen.
The site was not just a religious center but also housed a hospital, a pharmacy, and a welfare facility for those in need. These four institutions together served the education and health of people in the surrounding area.
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