History:

is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. It is the main temple of the Shingon-shū sect of Japanese Buddhism, and is located on the temple grounds of the nearby Kasuga-taisha shrine. The temple was founded in 706 by the monk Gyōki, and houses many important cultural properties, including the great Main Hall, the Nandaimon gate, and various statues. It is one of the best temple in Japan which you must visit.

Facts:

Engyo-ji is an ancient temple located in the mountain village of Mount Kōya, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The temple was founded in 816 AD by Kūkai, the founder of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhist sect. Engyo-ji is closely associated with the historical novel "The Tale of the Heike", as it is said to have been the site of the story's most climactic battle in 1184. The temple is a complex consisting of 18 separate structures, including the Main Hall and the Five-Storied Pagoda. Engyo-ji is included in a larger UNESCO World Heritage Sites of "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". The temple is known for its many cultural assets, such as its beautiful stone walls and elaborate carvings, as well as the grave of Kūkai and the Great Bell of Dōgen. Here are some facts about the Japan temple.These facts will help you understand why it is oldest temple list of the best temples in Japan

Worship Method:

Engyō-ji is a Buddhist temple located in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan that is famous for its centuries-old practice of Shingon esoteric Buddhist worship. Worship at Engyo-ji is based on the esoteric traditions of Vajrayana Buddhism, which employ procedures that are both visual and verbal in nature in order to bring the worshiper closer to enlightenment. The most important element of worship in Engyo-ji is the use of devotional mantras and mudras (symbolic gestures made with hands and fingers). During worship, the devotee chants a specific mantra dedicated to the deity of that temple, usually the deity of Compassion Avalokiteshvara. These mantras are recited and repeated with mantra-wheels and meditations. This is accompanied by visual offerings such as altar decorations, flowers, incense, and candles, and verbal offerings such as chanting, prayers, and mantras. Another part of the worship ritual at Engyo-ji is the Abhisheka, or ritual purification. During this ritual, the devotee is bathed in holy water and offered a drink made from holy rice wine. The act of drinking holy water is said to cleanse and purify the body. This ritual is essential in order to participate in further rituals offered at Engyo-ji. The innermost part of Engyo-ji is the hondo, or main hall. This is the site of worship for the deity and the place of the altar. The hondo is the most sacred and important space in Engyo-ji. Here, devotees pray, chant, and meditate for purification and enlightenment. Finally, the worship experience at Engyo-ji is often concluded with a walk around the shrine and pond, followed by a meditation session led by the temple head priest. These meditation sessions often involve sitting in a seiza stance and focusing on one’s breath. Through meditation and contemplation, the devotee can connect to the true nature of the soul and transcend to a state of inner peace and enlightenment. This most visited temple in Japan

Opening Timing:

Engyō-ji is open between 8:00am and 4:00pm, seven days a week. top temples in Japan

How to reach:

Engyō-ji is located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The nearest airport is Kansai International Airport, approximately 73 kilometers from Engyō-ji. By train, Engyō-ji is a 30-minute ride away from Sakurai Station. By car, the drive takes around 40 minutes from Sakurai Station. You can also take a bus from Nara Station to Sakurai Station, then transfer to a bus bound for Engyo-ji. The bus ride from Nara Station takes around 40 minutes. famous temples in Japan