Virtual Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #28 Ensho-ji Temple

 

     According to temple legend, the temple was founded by Ennin (794-864) in 853 by order of Emperor Montoku (827-858).  Ennin sensed Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja in a cherry tree.  He carved the tree into the main deity, the Thousand-Armed Sahasrabhuja statue.  He carved it as he respectfully made 3 bows as he chisel once.

     In 870, Emperor Seiwa (850-881) visited the temple and decided to keep the deity from public eyes.  In 882, Emperor Yozei (869-949) visited the temple to pray for recovery from illness, and, in thanks, he donated the attendant statues of Suryaprabha and Candraprabha.  In 894, by order of Emperor Uda (867-931), Priest Shobo (823-909) of Daigo-ji Temple entered Ensho-ji Temple, enshrined the 2 deities Acalanatha and Vaisravana in the Homa Hall, and offered prayers for the Empress's recovery from illness.  The temple became a training center for Shingon Buddhism.  More than 10 branches were built, including Enji-bo and Jichi-bo, throughout Yamada Village.  The Kannon-do Hall and the Inner Sanctuary Hall were added.

     During the Onin War (1467-1477), Kosai Genba, a vassal of the Hosokawa Clan, built a fortress in Nakamura Village, Yamada Manor, destroying the temple buildings, and usurped the temple's land.  In the early Edo Period, Priest Kakugen of Enjitsu-bo Temple enshrined the remaining Buddhist images in a hermitage.  Finally, sometime between 1658 and 1661, Priet Kakuyu rebuilt the temple with the help of Itakura Shigesato (1619-1662), who was the lord of Sekiyado Domain, Katsushika County, Shimousa Province, but who also had some territory in Shimoshima County, Settsu Province.

Address: 3 Chome−14−27, Yamadahigashi, Suita, Osaka 565-0821

Phone: 06-6876-0461

Daigo-ji Temple

Address: 22 Daigohigashiojicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 601-1325

Phone: 075-571-0002