Virtual Quasi-Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #8 Anraku-ji Temple

     Naito Takuminosuke moved to Shimokodanaka Village in 1514.  He took part in the village administration and founded Anraku-ji Temple, inviting Priest Kojun (?-1543) from Kai province with some other monks.  In 1525, smallpox reached epidemic proportions nationwide, Kuranosuke and Kojun buried the dead near the hermitage.   The bereaved became supporting member families.  Gradually, Anraku-ji Temple was formed.

     It is interesting that Takuminosuke also invited a god from Togakushi Shrine in Shinano Province, not from Suwa Shrine in Kai Province, and founded Oto Shrine in the village.  So, the question is where the Naito Family came from.  Anyway, they had a connection or two with those living in mountainous provinces.

     Anraku-ji Temple has the bhavacakra, which literally means “ heel of life” and which  is a symbolic representation of samsara, or cyclic existence.  The picture is found on the outside walls of Tibetan Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Indo-Tibetan region, to help ordinary people understand Buddhist teachings.  It is usually used in Indian Buddhism & Tibetan Buddhism.

Address: 2 Chome-36-1 Shimokodanaka, Nakahara Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-0041

Phone: 044-766-9098