Virtual Settsu 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #29 Sai-dera Temple

 

     According to temple legend, Sai-dera Temple was founded in 677 as a hermitage by Priest Dosho (629-700), and was passed down to Priests Doyaku (?-711) and Gyoki (668-749).

     In 653, Dosho travelled to China, studying under Xuanzang (602-664), who had traveled to India to study the Original Buddhism.  Dosho studied Yogacara, or Consciousness Only School or Dharma Characteristics School.  After returning from China, Dosho introduced the consciousness-only philosophy and established the Dharma Characteristics School in Japan.

     On February 16th, 735, Gyoki noticed auspicious light on the mountain behind the temple.  As he dug the ground, a statue of Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha made of sandalwood emerged.  He made this the main deity of the temple, and, with Imperial decree, established a temple complex with over 60 buildings.  In 814 and 816, the temple was donated 15 kilograms of cotton by Emperor Saga (786-842).  The Shugaisho (literally Collection of Trivia), which was an encyclopedia compiled from the 13th century to the 14th century, also lists Sai-dera Temple as one of 21 temples where nobles regularly hold sutra readings.  Sometime between 1573 and 1592, the temple was burned down by war, losing temple buildings.  Its Buddhist images were placed in a hermitage.  In 1647, Priest Rakujun rebuilt the temple, supported by Itakura Shigemune (1586-1657), who also donated a temple bell.

Address: 1 Chome-17-10 Saidera, Suita, Osaka 565-0836

Phone: 06-6388-2413