Can you imagine transferring eye disease to a guardian deity? That is just one legend surrounding Chugenji Temple also known as Meyami Jizo. The temple is a serene escape in Kyoto.
Chugenji Temple belongs to the Jodo sect of Buddhism. It is commonly called Meyami Jizo. This name is tied to a fascinating legend.
Let’s step back in time to the year 1022. The Buddhist monk Jocho worshipped a guardian deity northeast of Shijobashi Bridge. This marked the humble beginnings of Chugenji Temple.
Fast forward to 1228. Incessant heavy rains caused the Kamo River to overflow. Nakahara Tamekane oversaw the river’s control. He witnessed the guardian deity rescuing drowning people. Tamekane deeply grateful enshrined a seated statue of Jizo. He named it Ameyami Jizo or Rain Stopping Jizo. The temple’s name Chugenji came from Tamakane’s family name Nakahara. Chinese characters meaning humans and water were added.
Over time Ameyami transformed into Meyami. An anecdote explains this change. An elderly religious couple suffered from an eye disease. The guardian deity relieved their pain. It transferred their eye disease to its right eye. People started calling it Meyami Jizo. They believed in its power to heal eye diseases.
Inside the main hall the temple deifies another image. It is Yamagoe Amida. This Descent of Amitabha over the Mountain is said to be from the Muromachi period.
The Kannondo Hall holds a great treasure. It is a wooden statue of the Thousand-armed Kannon. Buddhist monk Kasuga likely created it in the late Heian period. It is an important cultural property.
The story of Chugenji Temple is one of faith gratitude and healing. Its evolution from a simple worship site to a revered temple is remarkable. The legends surrounding Meyami Jizo continue to draw visitors. They seek blessings and cures for eye ailments. The temple is a testament to the enduring power of belief. It shows the deep connection between people and their deities.