History:

Ryōzen-ji is a Zen temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Established in 1244, it is one of the twenty-two temples of the tri-temple pilgrimage, “Eshū Sankei,” located in Iyo Province. The main image of Ryōzen-ji is Shaka Nyorai (the historical buddha). Other notable images at Ryōzen-ji include Amida Nyorai (Amitabha) and Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara). The pilgrim’s will stop and visit Ryōzen-ji on their way to the temple of Ishite-ji and Ōkubo-ji. It is one of the so-called "Kannon Thirty-three sites" in the Shikoku region. It is one of the best temple in Japan which you must visit.

Facts:

1. Ryōzen-ji is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, located in the city of Nara. 2. It is a temple of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism and it is one of the sixteen Buddhist sites in the Nara ancient capital pilgrimage route. 3. Ryōzen-ji was founded in 646 by the great priest Gishin during the reign of Emperor Kotoku. 4. Ryōzen-ji is known for its tranquil stone garden and was a popular spot for famous poets and writers such as Matsuo Basho and Ueda Akinari throughout the Edo period. 5. The temple’s main hall is decorated with wooden carvings of Dragons and Phoenixes, and its large stairway leading up to the sacred stairs is known as the Thousand Steps. 6. Ryōzen-ji is also home to the oldest wooden building in the world, the Main Hall. The temple is a National Treasure and is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. 7. The most popular site at the temple is the stone garden where various stones are placed in a unique zen-like design. 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:

Ryōzen-ji is a Japanese Buddhist temple complex located in the Nyonin district of Osaka, Japan. A branch of the Shingon sect, Ryōzen-ji is one of the 11 surviving temples that are part of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a religious route through western Japan. Worship at Ryōzen-ji is commonly tied to two main rituals: first, the meditation ritual known as the Nembutsu Invocation of the Buddha Amitābha; second, the formal entry into the Buddhist sangha, also known as the “Jukai Ceremony”. The Nembutsu Invocation of the Buddha Amitābha is the most popular way of practicing Ryōzen-ji’s teaching, and it consists of chanting the nembutsu in a state of contemplation. The name translates to “mindful remembrance of Amida Buddha” and it involves the repetition of the phrase “Namu Amida Butsu” (“Homage to Amida Buddha”). During the invocation, practitioners sit in a meditation posture with eyes closed and focus on a single point in front of them. While chanting the phrase, practitioners draw on their inner resources and cultivate a receptive attitude towards the divine presence of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light. The Jukai Ceremony is the formal entrance into the Buddhist sangha. It ordinarily takes place after the Nembutsu Invocation, and involves taking refuge in the Three Treasures (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha) as well as vowing to abide by the Five Precepts (to abstain from taking life, from taking what is not given, from sexual misconduct, from unmoderated speech, and from intoxicants). After taking refuge, practitioners receive a short reading from their teacher, an incense offering, and a special ceremony to quality for the Jukai. Once you have completed these two rituals, you are formally part of the Ryōzen-ji sangha and are eligible to partake in other activities such as workshops, talks, holidays, and festivals. This most visited temple in Japan

Opening Timing:

Ryōzen-ji Temple is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day, except on New Year's Day. top temples in Japan

How to reach:

Ryōzen-ji is located in Kasai City in the Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. The closest airports to Kasai are Fukuoka Airport and Kitakyushu Airport. From either airport, travelers can take a bus to the JR Kasai Station which connects to the Kyushu Shinkansen Line. Ryōzen-ji can then be reached by taking a bus to the Ryōzen-ji stop. famous temples in Japan