Virtual Old Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #17 Seicho-ji Temple

 

     Seicho-ji Temple was founded by Priest Fushigi in 771.  He found an oak tree radiating 1,000 rays of light.  He carved Akasagarbha out of the tree, and performed ascetic practices in front of it for 21 days.

     In 836, Priest Ennin (794-864) visited the precincts, and carried out ascetic practices in front of the statue.  Since then, the temple belonged to the Tiantai School of Buddhism.

     Nichiren was born on February 16, 1222 in Tojo County, Awa Province. When he became 12 years old, he entered Seicho-ji Temple and learned basic Buddhism theories.  When he turned 16, he entered the Buddhist priesthood in the temple.

     Accordingly, Seicho-ji Temple became one of the 4 most important holy places for the Nichiren Buddhist Schools, along with Tanjo-ji, Ikegami-Honmon-ji, and Kuon-ji Temples.  Nichiren was born where Tanjo-ji Temple is located today, and died in Ikegami-Honmon-ji Temple.  Kuon-ji Temple is, as you may know, the headquarters of the Nichiren Sect.

As a Tiantai School temple, Seicho-ji Temple used to forbid the Nichiren Sect people to come in the precincts.  But, in 1920, it lifted the prohibition.  And, what is more, it converted itself to a Nichiren Sect in 1949.

Address: 322-1 Kiyosumi, Kamogawa, Chiba 299-5505

Phone: 04-7094-0525