Virtual Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #18 Mangan-ji Temple

 

     Tradition says Emperor Shomu  (701-756) ordered Priest Shodo (735-817) to found Mangan-ji Temples across Japan.  Mangan-ji Temple is the one in Settsu Province.  Actually, we still have 30 Mangan-ji Temples across Japan.

     Others say that Mangan-ji Temple was founded sometime between 724 and 728.  Is a couple of decades the allowable margin of error?

     Shodo was born to Iwata Takato and Yoshida Azu on April 21st, 735, in Haga County, Shimotsuke Province.  He practiced mountain asceticism from his childhood.  He studied under Nyoi Sozu of Yakushi-ji Temple in Shimotsuke in 762.  It isn't clear what Shodo's Buddhism was like.  In the Kanto Region at the time, some priests belonged to Tiantai Sect, some others were affiliated with Ganjin (688-763), and some people from Korea were moved to the region with the Huayan or Flower Garland teachings.

In early April of 767, Shodo attempted his first ascent of Mt. Nikko, but failed.  Until the next attempt in 781, his record was blank.  It is possible that he sought other targets.  Some argue his attempt to climb Mt. Nikko had something to do with coping with northern foreigners.

     In early April, 781, he attempted to climb Mt. Nikko again, but failed.  In March, 782, after chanting sutras for 17 days at the foot of the mountain, and after vowing to offer the three treasures to the summit, to worship the divine spirits of Mt. Nikko, and to reach the state of Bodhi at the top of the mountain, he finally succeeded in reaching the summit.  Shodo worshiped the divine spirit of Mt. Nikko for 37 days at the top of it, just as he had vowed.

     The temple claims to have one of the legendary graves of Sakata Kintoki (956-1011), much better known as Kintaro.

     Mangan-ji Temple is also the #5 member temple of the North Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

Address: 7-1 Manganjicho, Kawanishi, Hyogo 665-0891

Phone: 072-759-2452

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1 Chome-9-10 Honcho, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0014

Phone: 022-223-5965

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: Yumachi−30, Iizaka, Fukushima 960-0201

Phone: 024-582-2316

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: Sato-98 Moriya, Sukagawa, Fukushima 962-0305

Phone: 0248-65-2024

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 288 Izurumachi, Tochigi, 328-0206

Phone: 0282-31-1717

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 956 Tatsugi, Oyama, Tochigi 323-0062

Phone: 0285-22-1388

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1105 Higashifuzakashi, Mikawa, Tochigi 329-0602

Phone: 0285-56-2681

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 744 No, Gyoda, Saitama 361-0026

Phone: 048-559-4963

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome-8-25 Niikura, Wako, Saitama 351-0115

Phone: 048-461-2739

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 9822-1 Tennodai, Choshi, Chiba 288-0024

Phone: 0479-24-8416

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome−15−1, Todoroki, Setagaya City, Tokyo 158-0082

Phone: 03-3705-1622

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 3 Chome-6-6 Kurihara, Adachi City, Tokyo 123-0842

Phone: 03-3848-0247

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 4 Chome-27-6 Azamino, Aoba Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 225-0011

Phone: 045-901-4070

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1 Chome-4-9 Iwato, Yokosuka, Kanagawa 239-0844

Phone: 046-848-3138

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: Fuefuki, Yamanashi 405-0076

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1812 Hotakamaki, Azumino, Nagano 399-8305

Phone: 0263-83-2088

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1093 Yamada, Ueda, Nagano 386-1432

Phone: 0268-39-4382

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 130 Okazaki Hoshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8333

Phone: 075-771-4874

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 5-13 Kogahonmachi, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8492

Phone: 075-921-0848

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 291-1 Manganji, Maizuru, Kyoto 624-0814

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 9, Hirano Ward, Osaka, 547-0046

Phone: 06-6791-0072

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 983 Yumesakicho Shinjo, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2102

Phone: 079-336-1381

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1 Chome-15-40 Nishitakamatsu, Wakayama, 641-0051

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 879 Nishihamasadacho, Matsue, Shimane 690-0122

Phone: 0852-36-8483

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 11-1 Sebatocho, Hofu, Yamaguchi 747-0031

Phone: 0835-22-5225

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 1376 Toyohamacho Himehama, Kanonji, Kagawa 769-1601

Phone: 0875-52-2538

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 145 Asakurashimo, Imabari, Ehime 799-1603

Phone: 0898-56-2057

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: Ko-1657 Tsushimacho Iwabuchi, Uwajima, Ehime 798-3311

Phone: 0895-32-2897

Mangan-ji Temple

Address: 2292 Manganji, Minamioguni, Aso District, Kumamoto 869-2402

Phone: 0967-42-0384