Virtual Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Chuzen-ji Temple

 

     In late March, 784, Shodo climbed Mt. Nikko again, walked with his disciples around Lake Chuzenji.  When he crossed the lake on a boat, he felt that he saw Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja in the water.  He carved Sahasrabhuja out of a standing tree of Cercidiphyllum japonicum, and founded Chuzen-ji Temple with the statue as its main deity.

     Chuzen-ji Temple was first documented in the Chuzen-ji Memorandum, which was compiled in 1141 by Fujiwara Atsumitsu (1063-1144).

     Atsumitsu was an aristocrat, a literati, and a Confucian scholar.  At the age of four, he lost his father, Akihira (989-1066), and was raised by his older brother, Atsumoto (1046-1106).  In 1094, he passed an examination for appointment to government officials that was conducted in Japan from the 9th century to the 16th century.  The examination system was an imported version of the imperial examination in China.  In the tests, students were asked to answer about the sentences cited from classical Chinese literature.  His passing the examination guaranteed his proficiency in the classical Chinese language.  He was hired in the Department of Ceremonial Affairs and Education in 1098.  He became the practical secretary of the department in 1122.  He was recognized for his ability to write Chinese texts.  He composed many imperial edicts for Emperors Horikawa (1079-1107), Toba (1103-1156), and Sutoku (1119-1164).  In April, 1144, he entered the priesthood due to illness and died on October 28th of the year.

     The question is who was interested in reading texts about Chuzen-ji Temple in the classical Chinese language?

Address: 2578 Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661

Phone: 0288-55-0013