Nishi Hongan-ji, Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Nishi Hongan-ji is a Buddhist temple complex in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, composed of several wooden halls linked by covered walkways. The two main buildings, Goeido and Amidado, rise amid carefully maintained gardens and form the heart of the sprawling compound.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi founded the temple in 1591 as a replacement for Ishiyama Hongan-ji, which was destroyed during wars with Oda Nobunaga. The new site was meant to restore the religious and political role of the Honganji lineage at a time of deep divisions.
The temple serves as the spiritual center for the Jodo Shinshu tradition and welcomes worshippers from around the world who gather to chant sutras together. Inside the halls, monks in traditional robes lead daily ceremonies that convey the teachings of Amida Buddha.
The complex sits about a ten-minute walk from Kyoto Station and opens daily from early morning until evening without charging admission. Most halls remain accessible to visitors, though some interior rooms can only be viewed during special occasions or by prior arrangement.
The Daishoin garden avoids water altogether and uses sand, stones, and plants to shape a symbolic landscape representing rivers and mountains. This dry technique invites visitors to complete natural forms and movements in their imagination.
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