Virtual Arima County 33 Kannon Pilgrimage #13 Komyo-ji Temple

 

     Komyo-ji Temple was founded on October 2nd, 1541, in Yamaguchi Village, Arima County, Settsu Province.  Its foundation date is so clear, but the details of the temple's founding are unknown.

     Yamaguchi Manor was first documented in 1114 as the private manor of Minamoto Toshiaki (1044-1114).  Toshiaki's 2 tanka poems were included in the imperially-commissioned Japanese anthologies of tanka poetry:

Has spring come before New Year?

We see mist on Mount Yoshino

Which is covered with snow.

Waves wash the beach and I watch the foam.

As I cooled down

I realized it's just snow on the pond which isn't frozen yet.

     The temple buildings were rebuilt in 1841, and it underwent a complete reconstruction in September, 1972, with a reinforced concrete main hall and a two-story wooden priest's office.

     To commemorate the reconstruction, the following Buddhist tanka poem was composed:

With compassion and mercy,

the light of the Buddha shines brightly

On the temple of Yamaguchi.

     The temple has Oshiruko, namely Soup gatherings, which have been held for over half a century since the time of the 32nd priest, Tatsudo.

     The temple holds Buddhist gatherings throughout the year, including memorial services, nirvana ceremonies, spring and autumn equinoxes gatherings, flower festivals, ten-night ceremonies, and enlightenment ceremonies.

     These events are held in the afternoon, with each member bringing only rice, and the people on duty that day preparing the soup and side dishes.  They have lively meals together.  The gatherings provide strong bonds between the temple and its parishioners.

     Komyo-ji Temple also has the Yoshimizu-ko gathering, where members can learn Buddhist tanka poems and Buddhist hymns, and the Goju-ko gatherings, for those who have undergone the Gojusoden.  In Gojusoden, practitioners listen to lectures, chant nianfo, and perform other Buddhist services for 5 days.

     Additionally, there are many stone monuments remaining in the precincts.

Address: 3 Chome-13-21 Yamaguchicho Shimoyamaguchi, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 651-1412

Phone: 078-904-1331