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Chionin Temple in Kyoto is the headquarters of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Japanese Buddhism and is also one of the most important spiritual sites in Japan. Honen founded the Pure Land sect of Japanese Buddhism in 1175. He taught the common people in Japan that simply by calling Amida Buddha wholeheartedly, it is possible to be reborn in the Pure Land (a heavenly paradise from where it is easy to attain enlightenment). The simplicity of teachings and applicability to common people made the Jodo sect the most widely accepted Buddhist sect in Japan. With over 30 million followers, Jodo sect is ahead of the Jodo-shin and Shingon, the two other popular Buddhist sects in Japan.
Chionin Temple in Kyoto was constructed in 1234 on the sacred place where Honen had taught the common people and fasted to death in the year 1212. The present structures of the temple date back to the 17th century when the Chionin Temple was reconstructed, following its devastation by the great fire in 1633. Sanmon, the two-story gate, welcomes the visitors to the Chionin Temple in Kyoto. At a height of 24 meters, Sanmon is the largest temple gate in Japan. As one moves through the grand entrance and then up a steep trajectory of stairs, the spacious temple complex of Chionin can be seen at once. The original construction of the temple had 21 buildings. The two oldest standing structures of Chionin, which were rebuilt after their destruction by repeated fires and earthquakes, are the Hon-do, the Main Hall of the temple, reconstructed in 1633, and the Daihojo, the Abbot’s Quarters, built in 1639. Another interesting feature of the Chionin Temple in Kyoto is the Temple Bell. The 74- ton bell, cast in 1633, is the heaviest bell in Japan. It requires as many as 17 monks to operate this huge bell in the grand New Year ceremony at the temple. The Main Hall of Chionin is also one of the biggest halls in Kyoto city with a capacity to hold 3,000 people. The corridor following the Main Hall that takes one to the Assembly Hall is well known for its Nightingale Floor (uguisu-bari). It was especially constructed to generate alarming sounds at every footstep to warn the monks against intruders. Mie-do, with Honen’s statue (considered as Japan’s National Treasure) enshrined in it, Yuzen-en and the temple’s magnificent Japanese Garden add to the grandeur of Chionin Temple in Kyoto. How to Reach Chionin is located immediately north of the Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park, two other popular tourist destinations in Kyoto city. An 8 min walk from Higashi-yama subway station (Tozai line) or a 5 min walk from the Chion-in-mae bus stop will take you to this headquarters of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism. It remains open to the visitors from 9 am - 4: 30 pm. However, all structures of the temple are not open to the public. The admission fee for the temple complex is 400 yen. If you are on a trip to Kyoto, don’t miss a visit to the Chionin Temple in Kyoto, the wonderful architecture of Japanese Buddhism.
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