Virtual Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #3 Jinno-ji Temple

 

     Jogan-ji Sairin-bo Temple was founded west of Hayashi-jinja Shrine in 716 by Fujiwara Umakai (694-737), who was appointed to be the vice ambassador of the 9th Japanese Mission to Tang China in the year.

     When Umakai recuperated at Mayadani Hot Springs, he received a revelation in a dream, which led to him making 7 Bhaisajyaguru images (the Akashi Seven Yakushi Buddhas) and enshrining them in 7 locations within Akashi County.  The main deity of Jinno-ji Temple is said to be one of the 7.

     Besides Jinno-ji Temple, Chorin-ji, Koke-ji, and Jurin-ji Temples claim that they belong to the Akashi Seven Yakushi Buddhas.  Taisan-ji Temple doesn’t say it belongs to the Akashi Seven Yakushi Buddhas but it was also founded by Umakai, so it might be a member of the Akashi Seven Yakushi Buddhas.  Nothing is known about the other 2 temples.  Have they been abolished?

     We can’t find Mayadani Hot Springs today.  Was it today’s Arima Hot Springs?

     Jinno-ji Temple is a branch of Mitsuzo-in Temple, and was moved to its current location after the Meiji Restoration Government issued the Gods and Buddhas Separation Order in 1868, changing its name to Jinno-ji.  Presumably, the temple should have broken off its relation with Hayashi-jinja Shrine.

     The temple’s Buddhist tanka poem is:

In the western forest,

The flowers safeguarding Buddhism bloom and colorful birds play

Even on the dead trees.

Address: 2 Chome-14-18 Hayashi, Akashi, Hyogo 673-0034

Phone: 078-923-4351

Hayashi-jinja Shrine

Address: 5-1 Miyanoue, Akashi, Hyogo 673-0031

Phone: 078-922-0150

Mitsuzo-in Temple

Address: 3-8 Funagecho, Akashi, Hyogo 673-0026

Phone: 078-922-4488

Chorin-ji Temple

Address: 9-4 Zaimokucho, Akashi, Hyogo 673-0893

Phone: 078-911-4727

Koke-ji Temple

Address: 2-chome-10-35 Taidera, Akashi, Hyogo 673-0845

Phone: 078-911-3755

Jurin-ji Temple

Address: 1074 Takasagocho Yokomachi, Takasago, Hyogo 676-0051

Phone: 079-442-0242

Taisan-ji Temple

Address: Zenkai-224 Ikawadani-chō, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2108

Phone: 078-976-6658