Virtual Old Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #11 Kondo-ji Temple

    

     Tradition has it that Kondo-ji Temple was founded at Kohagizaka in 709 by Gyoki (668-749).  He also caved an Arya Avalokitesvar statue, and built a hall 160 meters square to enshrine it.  Hundreds of years had passed, and the temple had gotten buried under a field of grass.

     In 1280, Priest Genjo noticed golden light beamed from Kohagizaka and that a white cloud was emanating.  The light and cloud led the priest to where the temple used to be.  He plowed the grass there and found a gilt copper statue of Arya Avalokitesvar.  He bundled bush clovers to build pillars, put a thatched roof on them, and enshrined the Arya Avalokitesvar statue there.

     Um, It’s a religious miracle that a carved (=wooden) image transformed itself into a copper one.  The mysterious transformation caused the temple to be named Kondo-ji (literally Gilt Copper Temple).

     In 1448, villagers built a wooden building to enshrine the statue.

     The statue might have a miracle power to be rediscovered.  In 1938, it was stolen.  Years later, it was found in Saitama Prefecture.

     The power might have effects even on the other temple property.  The temple bell was casted by Fujiwara Tadanao in 1789.  It was delivered to the government during World War II.  In 1983, it was miraculously found in Chosei-ji Tempe, Yamanashi Prefecture, and was returned to Kondo-ji Temple.

Address: 1241 Kamisakuma, Kyonan, Awa District, Chiba 299-2113

Phone: 0470-55-8303