Virtual Gyotoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #27 Shinsei-ji Temple

 

     Shinsei-ji Temple was founded in 1616.

     The area which is called Arai today had newly developed salt pans.  Accordingly, locals were short of fresh water.  Priest Ogei of Hojo-ji Temple  heard of the shortage, prayed to Avalokitesvara, picked up a certain place, and dug a well.  Surprisingly, fresh water gushed out.  Locals were overjoyed, built a temple for Avalokitesvara and the priest, and named it Shinsen-ji, namely New Well Temple.  The native Japanese style reading of Shinsen was Arai, which became the place name.

     The Arai area was repeatedly hit by floods and storm surges.  Shinsen-ji Temple's 4th priest, Shuetsu, deplored disasters.  He drew characters of the Lotus Sutra on clam shells and built a mound with them.  He sat on the mound and was cremated alive on it in 1697.

Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Arai, Ichikawa, Chiba 272-0144

Phone: 047-357-8319