Imagine a temple bell. Its sound reverberates through the air calling you to a place of peace. That place is Rikkoyoji Temple also known as Ryukkoji Temple, or more popularly as Tachikyoji Temple.
Tachikyoji Temple was founded in the early Showa era by Village Oka Tenryo Da Monk. He moved the statue of the Kannon Bosatsu and the statue of Benzaiten from the Tendai sect Enkoji Temple. Enkoji Temple was in the former village of Matsumoto now Suginami ward Matsumoto. Village Oka Tenryo Da Monk named it Enkozan Myo Joju.
Enkoji Temple is detailed in the Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Draft. It is said that Enko was founded between 1688 and 1704.
Village Oka Tenryo Da Monk encountered esoteric teachings at Shingon sect temples when he was young. He learned about the Lotus Sutra at a Nichiren sect temple. He realized that the Lotus Sutra and esoteric teachings were the same. He climbed Mount Hiei. He decided that Tendai which makes the harmony of esoteric teachings its focus was where he belonged.
He wrote Myo Shoho. He widely lectured on Myo Shoho at temples inside and outside the Tendai sect. He fulfilled the wishes of many followers. Less than twenty years after converting to the Tendai sect he became a Da Monk. He received special permission for the purple robe of the three robes and chapter striped white Dai five articles.
In 1951, he received special recognition from the Tendai sect. In 1957, he was appointed Kanto Supervisor of the Tendai sect training method stream.
The main deity is the single-character golden wheel Fudo Myo King. Tachikyoji Temple’s Fudo Myo King is a unique incarnation of the Ekichikinrin Butcho Soncho. Ekichikinrin Butcho Soncho controls people’s fate. He brings good luck and fulfills all wishes.
It is also called Tatsumi Fudo. It is said to be miraculous for standing birth and leg and hip diseases. Many worshippers born in the years of the Dragon and the Serpent visit. The mountain name Enko also refers to Enkoji Temple. It represents the golden wheel light back wheel of the single-character golden wheel Butcho Soncho.
In 2019, the temple’s treasure, the single-character golden wheel Mandala, was opened to the public for the first time. This celebrated Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement. Many worshippers flocked to see it. The single-character golden wheel Mandala is used as the main image of the single-character golden wheel method. This method is performed for disaster prevention and reverence. The mandala is colored according to the method of increasing profits. It is thought to have been drawn for the purpose of practicing the law of increasing profits.
This Mandala is also called the Wealth Mandala. It is said that praying to it brings wealth. Currently, it is on loan to the Tokyo National Museum for research. Gold mud and cut gold are used for a three-dimensional effect. The lines are also beautifully and carefully drawn. The single-character golden wheel in the center takes in the techniques of ink painting. The lapis lazuli of the heavenly canopy is also skillfully drawn. It is a superior work drawn by a highly skilled painter.
Tachikyoji Temple offers prayers to improve luck. These prayers are based on Myo Shoho. They include prayers for good fortune, first protection, winter solstice star festival and general wish fulfillment.
The temple’s disaster removal prayer is unique. It transforms disasters into blessings. This prayer is based on Myo Shoho. It is especially effective when performed even if it is not a bad year.
Besides various events, the temple performs the Four Blessings service on lucky days. The Four Blessings include the Seven-faced Inari, Daikokuten, Benzaiten and Bishamonten. It prays for disaster prevention and increased profits. Worshippers receive amulets based on Myo Shoho. They also receive wealth benefit charms inspired by the Wealth Mandala but distribution is currently limited. Tachikyoji Temple stands as a testament to faith, art, and the enduring quest for good fortune.