“Protect and save the town’s poor and women.” Those were the words that set Shinnyo-do apart. Shinnyo-do also known as Shinshogokuraku-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Kyoto. Let me tell you its story.
Shinnyo-do was founded in 984 by Kaisan. He was a monk from Enryaku-ji. The name ‘Gokuraku’ refers to Sukhāvatī. It is the Pure Land of the West. Shinnyo-do is often called “the true temple of paradise”.
The temple’s main treasure is the statue of Amida Nyorai. It is called Unazuki no Amida or the nodding Amida. Legend says that the monk-sculptor asked the statue about its calling. The statue nodded three times to show its acceptance of the task to protect the town’s poor and women.
During the Onin War from 1467 to 1477, the statue was moved. It went to Otsu and Mount Hiei for safekeeping. It was returned to Shinnyo-do in 1693.
Shinnyo-do is also known for Nenbutsu. This is a practice of chanting Buddha Amida’s name for help. Monks often visit the temple to learn this practice. The chanting is broadcast throughout the temple grounds.
Inside the main hall, you can see the triad. Amida Nyorai is at its center. You can also visit the Shoin pavilion. It offers views of two dry gardens.
The Nehan no niwa or Nirvana Garden shows the last moments of Shaka Nyorai. Larger stones represent Buddha’s body. Smaller stones are his disciples. This garden borrows its background view from the Higashiyama Mountains.
The Zuien no niwa is a modern dry garden created in 2010. It features stones and gravels of various colors. You can sit and enjoy the beauty of these gardens.
Outside, there is a three-story pagoda. A path behind the temple turns into a tunnel of red maple trees in autumn. You will also find wooden buildings and a graveyard.
Shinnyo-do is a spiritual place. It offers beauty and a quiet atmosphere. It is a place to replenish your mind. In 1694, Mukai Kyorai praised the serenity of Shinnyo-do. He was a student of the poet Matsuo Basho. His ode is remembered by a stone plaque in the temple grounds.
Also in 2008, a monument was built at Shinnyo-do. It commemorates Kyoto as the birthplace of movies. Shozo Makino, the Father of Japanese Movies, filmed “Honnoji Kassen” at Shinnyo-do in 1908.
Shinnyo-do is beautiful in every season. May offers the green of new maple leaves. Summer provides a cool escape from the heat. Autumn is the best time to see the fiery leaves. It is a gem unknown to many tourists. Shinnyo-do offers a memorable experience.