Virtual Musashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #26 Saifuku-ji Temple

 

     Kukai (774-835) was said to have founded Saifuku-ji Temple sometime between 810 and 824 to pray for the protection of the state.  It is unknown when its Kannon-do Hall was built, but it was recorded that the hall was rebuilt in 1690 by Priest Kyoin (?-1710).  The hall enshrines a statue of Cintamanicakra, who usually has 6 arms and holds chintamani (a wish-fulfilling jewel) in one of the six.  The inside of the statue has 99 miniature Avalokiteshvara statues which copied those of Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, and Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage.  As you pray to the Cintamanicakra statue, you can get as much grace as you go on all the 3 pilgrimages.  It is, however, unknown the Cintamanicakra statue itself copied which statue of which temple of which pilgrimage.  The Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage has 5 Cintamanicakra statues and the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage has 2.

     Today, the bigger copies of the other 99 statues are displayed in the hall too so that visitors can believe that they really pray to all the 100 Avalokiteshvara statues.

Address: 420 Nishitateno, Kawaguchi, Saitama 333-0813

Phone: 048-296-3931