“A miracle of light.” That’s the meaning of Myoukouji. We stand before Myoukouji Temple now. It is a place of peace and reflection in Hiroshima.
Myoukouji is officially called Heiwa-san Myoukouji Temple. It is a temple of the Shingon sect. The temple belongs to the Souhonzan Zentsuji school.
Did you know that Myoukouji has a special connection to another temple? It is a branch temple of Zentsuji Temple in Kagawa Prefecture. Zentsuji Temple is the birthplace of Kobo Daishi. He was a revered Buddhist monk. Myoukouji welcomes a piece of Zentsuji. It is a statue called “Meme-Kobo Daishi”. Therefore, it is known as “Zentsuji Temple Hiroshima Betsuin”.
The mountain name Heiwa-san means Peace Mountain. It reflects a deep wish for world peace. It also commemorates those who died in the atomic bombing. The founder Myoko Zenji wished strongly for peace.
Myoukouji is located south of Hiroshima’s city center. It sits on the side of Mt. Ogonzan. From here you can see across Hiroshima.
Inside Myoukouji’s grounds, there are several notable features. You can see the main hall and the bell tower. Also discover the Peace Bell. Stone statues of Buddhist figures dot the landscape. These include Kobo Daishi and Fudo Myoo. There are also statues of Jizo.
The Peace Bell at Myoukouji is special. It was donated by Ikkei Katori. He created the Peace Bell in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Every morning at 8:15 AM, the Peace Bell rings out. This echoes the time of the atomic bombing. It serves as a reminder. It calls for “No More Hiroshima”.
Myoukouji offers a unique pilgrimage experience. It has a replica of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This “Shikoku Eighty-Eight Sacred Sites Pilgrimage Course” opened in 2020. The grounds contain soil from each of the 88 temples. This allows visitors to experience the pilgrimage. They gain the same benefits as visiting the original sites.
Myoukouji holds events for memorial services. They also offer water services for ancestors. You can also take part in copying sutras.
To get to Myoukouji, you can take a bus. Get off at the “Higashi Hondori” stop. It is a ten-minute walk from there. Alternatively, the “City Technical High School” stop is a fifteen-minute walk away. A taxi from Hiroshima Station costs about 1,500 yen.
Myoukouji stands as a testament. It shows Hiroshima’s journey. It is a place of spiritual solace. It embodies the hope for lasting world peace.