Virtual Akashi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #6 Raigo-ji Temple

 

     In 717, Gyoki carved 8 Avalokitesvara statues in Nyoi-ji Temple.  He is said to have founded Raigo-ji Temple and enshrined one of them, an Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha statue.  Unfortunately, the statue was reduced to ashes in fire in 1924.

     Another Eleven-Faced Ekadasamukha statue was made in 1925.  It is recorded that Sakurai Shozaemon supported the revival of the temple.

     In 1982, an outward Ekadasamukha statue was made by Matsuhisa Horin (1901-1987), his son, Sorin (1926-1992), and his daughter, Maya (1954-).  As 3 generations of sculptors of Buddhist images took part in its production, the statue is called Sanze Kannon, or Three-generation Avalokitesvara.  If prayers are made to the statue, wishes for the past, present and future are supposed to be granted.

     The temple’s Buddhist tanka poem is:

Again and again,

Spirits and minds visit Raigo-ji Temple

To see purple clouds hanging over the moonlit mountain.

     Raigo-ji Temple used to have a hermitage with a spring, which gushed pure water.  The hermitage is An in Japanese, and the spring is called An-no-ido.  Because this area is close to the sea, seawater mixes with the well water.  Although it is difficult to obtain good quality water in the area, fresh water springs up in the well.

Address: Yagi-310 Okubocho, Akashi, Hyogo 674-0063

Phone: 078-936-1323

Nyoi-ji Temple

Address: 259 Hasetanicho, Nishi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 651-2237

Phone: 078-991-0009

An-no-ido Spring

Address: Yagi-294 Okubocho, Akashi, Hyogo 674-0063