Virtual Sakai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #2 Chizen-ji Temple

 

     Chizen-ji Temple claims to belong to the Tendai-Shinsei Sect, which belongs to Tiantai Denomination at large.

     Priest Shinsei (1443-1495) was born in Ichishi County, Ise Province, in 1443.  After entering a local temple and becoming a monk, he entered Mount Hiei at the age of 19, where he devoted himself to training and study for over 20 years, never leaving the mountain.

     While on Mount Hiei, Shinsei gradually distinguished himself, reaching the 8th-highest rank.  In 1483, he abandoned fame and fortune, and retired to Seiryu-ji Temple in Kurodani, which is located at the very back of Mount Hiei.  2 years later, in 1485, Shinsei finally left the mountain, and in December of that year, he lectured at the Imperial Court on Ojoyoshu, or the Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land, of Genshin (942-1017).  Shinsei was highly acclaimed as a master of preaching, and his lectures at the Imperial Court were attended by many members of the Royal Family and nobles, as evidenced by the diaries of nobles of the time.  Shinsei spent the last 10 years of his life working to restore Saikyo-ji Temple and spread the teachings, and died in Iga Province in 1495 while traveling.

     While Tiantai temples such as Enryaku-ji and Onjo-ji Temples are strongly influenced by esoteric Buddhism, Saikyo-ji Temple has a strong Pure Land influence, with Amida Buddha as its main deity and emphasis on nianfo, to chant the name of Amida Buddha.  Shinsei's philosophy is notable for its emphasis on both precepts and nianfo, which differs from the teachings of Honen (1133-1212) and Shinran (1173-1263), both of which give their exclusive attention to nianfo.

     Anyway, it is unknown whether Chizen-ji Temple was founded before the organization of Tendai-Shinsei Sect and transferred to the sect later, or was originally founded as its member temple.

     The temple's grave yard has the grave of Suwa Tadamasa (1697-1768), a doctor, and Tanaka Keitei (1736-1812), a calligrapher. 

Address: 5 Chome-1-30 Ebisunochohigashi, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0945

Phone: 072-233-7072

Seiryu-ji Temple

Address: 946 Yaseakimotocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1252

Phone: 075-722-1300

Saikyo-ji Temple

Address: 5 Chome-13-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga 520-0113

Phone: 077-578-0013

Enryaku-ji Temple

Address: 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga 520-0116

Phone: 077-578-0001

Onjo-ji Temple

Address: 246 Onjōjichō, Otsu, Shiga 520-0036

Phone: 077-522-2238