Virtual Tama Aqueduct Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage #10 Jindai-ji Temple

 

     Jindai-ji Temple was founded in 733 by Priest Mangon as a temple of East Asian Yogacara.  It is the second oldest temple in Tokyo Prefecture after Senso-ji Temple, which was founded in 628.  Jindai-ji Temple was named after the legend of Xuanzang (602–664).

     When Xuanzang was traveling to India to bring over 657 Buddhist scriptures back to China, a water god, Shensha the Great, appeared from the depth of sand and guarded Xuanzang.  The Chinese characters of Shen and Great can be pronounced Jin and Da in Japanese.

     Who was Mangong?

     Hukuman of Kaneko Village fell in love with a daughter of Onjeong Ugeun, the head of Sasu Village, and his wife, Holang-i.  Ugeun and Holang-i were sad with that, and hid their daughter in an isle in a lake.  Hukuman remembered Xuanzang's legend and prayed to Shensha.  The god sent a holy turtle to him.  He visited his love on the back of the turtle.  Hearing the strange but good incident, Mr. and Mrs. Onjeong let the two get married.  Later, the daughter gave birth to Mangong. 

     In 859, Jindai-ji Temple was transferred to the Tiantai Lotus School.

Address: 5 Chome−15−1 Jindaiji Motomachi, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0017

Phone: 042-486-5511