[Nara] Abe Monjuin Temple part.1

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip "Abe Monjuin" is one of the oldest temples in Japan, founded in 645. The principal image is the Bodhisattva Manjusri, famous for the proverb "Three heads are better than one." Abeno Kurahashimaro, who became the Minister of the Left during the Taika Reforms at the request of Emperor Kokutoku, built "Abeyama Soukei-ji" (Abe-dera) as the clan temple of the Abe clan. Even after moving to the current site of Abe Monjuin during the Kamakura period, most of the mountain was burned down in a fire caused by Matsunaga Danjo's war in 1563, and the current main hall (Monju-do) was rebuilt about 100 years later in 1665. Within the grounds, there is the Kinkakuji Ukimido, where Benzaiten, the Nara period Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty, Abe no Nakamaro, and the Heian period onmyoji Abe no Seimei are enshrined, which is said to ward off misfortunes in the direction of travel, a special historic burial mound, and an observation deck where Abe no Seimei is said to have conducted astronomical observations. Main Hall Photography is prohibited inside, so this is a photo from a pamphlet. The "Manjusri Crossing the Sea Group Statues" center around Manjusri riding a lion, with Vimalakirti (Saishō Rōjin) and Subhuti (Buddhabarī Tripitaka) on the left, King Yuden holding the reins of the lion and Zenzai Doji leading the way, and four attendants, depict them crossing the sea of ​​clouds and setting out on a journey to ward off evil and bestow wisdom on all living beings. And! All of them are national treasures!!! The principal image of the statue, Manjusri, is riding on a lion, holding a sword called the "Gomanoriken" in his right hand and a lotus flower, which symbolizes mercy and love, in his left hand. A calligraphy inside the statue's womb reveals that it was made by the great sculptor Kaikei in 1203 (the third year of the Kennin era). The vividly colored wooden statue of a lion rider is the largest in Japan, standing about 7m tall. On the day we visited, the Bodhisattva had dismounted from the lion for the first time in 15 years due to seismic isolation construction work, so we were able to see his precious figure up close. It was beautiful. Next time, I'd like to see him riding a lion! If the timing is right, you can listen to a sermon in the main hall. It was very educational. Continue to part 2. Admission fee to the main hall: 700 yen (comes with a commemorative gift) Abe Monjuin Temple 645 Abe, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, 633-0054 #AbeMonjuin Temple #NaraTourism