“What does it mean to have an enlightened mind?” That is the question Myoshin-ji Temple invites you to ponder. The temple stands as the head temple of the Myoshin-ji school. It is the largest school in Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
Let me share a little history. Emperor Hanazono loved this area of Kyoto. He built his imperial villa here. In 1337, he converted his villa into a Zen temple. This marked the origin of Myoshin-ji. The name means “Temple of the Enlightened Mind”.
Myoshin-ji’s influence grew over the centuries. It became the headquarters of the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen school. Like other Zen temples, Myoshin-ji has a “mountain name”. It is Shobozan or “Mountain of the True Dharma.”
Kanzan Egen served as Myoshin-ji’s founding priest. Emperor Hanazono was its founding patron. Myoshin-ji now has forty-six subtemples in its main complex. It also has over three thousand affiliated temples worldwide. Around seven thousand monks are associated with the Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. Educational facilities are affiliated with the temple. These are Hanazono University, High School, Middle School, and Rakusai-Hanazono Kindergarten.
Nearly all Myoshin-ji’s buildings were destroyed in the Onin War in 1467. Many have been rebuilt since then. The rebuilding occurred mainly from the late 15th to early 17th centuries. Today the gardens of Myoshin-ji are a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site.
Myoshin-ji Temple’s bell is known as Okikicho. It is the oldest-known Buddhist bell in Japan still in use. It was cast in 698. The Myoshin-ji school tailors its teachings to each student’s needs. This method diverges from the traditional canon.
The Myoshin-ji complex is sprawling. Winding paths connect the buildings. It’s easy to get disoriented here. The main buildings are on an axis extending north from the south gate. A main north-south path connects the north and south gates.
Important cultural properties can be found here. The Chokushimon Gate was built in 1610. The Sanmon Gate was built in 1599. The Butsuden Hall was built in 1827. The Hattō Hall dates back to 1656.
To get here, you can take the train. Myoshin-ji Station and Ryōan-ji Station are on the Randen Line near the North Gate. Hanazono Station on the JR Sagano Line is near the South Gate.
There are more than 40 subtemples. Taizō-in is a noted subtemple with gardens and ink paintings. Shunkō-in has connections with Christianity. Daishin-in features a rock garden. Keishun-in boasts a tea garden. Reiun-in has a pocket rock garden.
The temple calls itself the largest of all Zen temples. Myoshinji Temple invites you to explore its grounds. Discover the history and beauty within these walls. Perhaps you will find some enlightenment along the way.