Virtual Old Awa 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Hoju-in Temple

 

     Hoju-in Temple was founded as Jitsujo-in in 1404 by Priest Yukai, who was offered the abhiseka ritual in Shingon Buddhism in 1428.  In February, 1429, Nakayama Sadachika (?-1459) received the information that Yukai wanted to be ranked as risshi, the third highest rank among Buddhist priests and monks.  Sadachika reported the information to Emperor Go-Hanazono (1419-1471), and the conferment letter was issued.

     However, Yukai turned out to be dead.  After the abhiseka ritual, he had visited Musashi Province for the further esoteric practice, and had died there.  After his death, he often appeared in the dreams of his acquaintances, lamenting that he was at a loss at the bank of the Sanzu River, the border river between this and the other worlds, without any Buddhist rank.  People applied for risshi rank by proxy for the late Priest Yukai.

     Later, when Priest Yuden, Yukai’s successor, was going to draw water from a well, the water surface showed the letters “ho", treasure, and “ju", ball. And he renamed the temple Hoju-in.

     The well is still in front of the main hall, and called Akai, or the Aka Well.  Aka in Japanese is Argha in Sanskrit.  Argha is oblation water, which is delivered to the Buddhist images.

     The statue of Ekadasamukha, who has 11 faces, had been carved by Jokai in 1307 and was enshrined in Saiko-in Temple, which Yuden’s mother, Priestess Myoko, founded.  Or, finically speaking, both the temples were actually built by Yuden’s father, or Myoko’s husband, whose name wasn’t recorded.  He was very religious, or he might have had a good reason to build a sanatorium for his son.  His dedication worked.  The temple was approved the fields, which brought $8,000-worth income to his son.  How many hallucinations did the son have?

Address: 687 Fuchu, Minamiboso, Chiba 294-0823

Phone: 0470-36-2581