Virtual Kameda Domain 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #23 Jusen-ji Temple

 

     Jusen-ji Temple was founded in 1391 by a monk from Kosen-ji Temple, which had been founded in 1377 by Priest Sorei (1333-1408).  The monk who founded Jusen-ji Temple might have been Sorei's apprentice.  Sorei and his apprentices seem to have propagated Caodong Chan School energetically.

     The most famous Caodong Chan School priest was Doai (?-1379), who was from Yamamoto County, Dewa Province.  He founded Eitoku-ji Temple in Isawa County, Mutsu Province. 

     Doai aspired to become a Buddhist monk from an early age and attained spiritual attainment at a Shingon sect temple called Hoju-in in Rokugo-Takano Village.  At the age of 16, he went up to Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei to study the teachings of the Tiantai Sect.  Several years after entering the mountain, he decided to travel around temples of various places.  According to the Nihon Dojo Rento-roku, the Biographies of the Priests of the Caodong Chan School, which was compiled by Priest Yujo in 1727, he is said to have converted to the Caodong Chan School when he was 24 years old.  He studied under Priest Joseki (1275-1366), the second head priest of the Soji-ji Temple in Wajima, Noto Province.  In 1355, he achieved great enlightenment and  became a Buddhist heir of Joseki, who ordered Doai to preach in the Mutsu and Dewa Provinces.  Doai spread the teachings of the Caodong Sect all over the provinces on the back of an ox.

     As Sorei also learned from Joseki in Soji-ji Temple, the 2 might have been acquainted with each other.  Later, Sorei returned to Soji-ji Temple and became its head priest.

Address: Kayagasawa-129 Yuwakayagasawa, Akita, 010-1352

Phone: 018-887-2355

Kosen-ji Temple

Address: 4375 Yokoyama, Oishida, Kitamurayama District, Yamagata 999-4121

Phone: 0237-35-3407