Ontakesan Tounji Temple

Are you creating a "rest for your soul"? The Mount Nishi Jodo sect's Ontakesan Dounji temple, which began with these words, has become a hot topic due to its double-headed lotus. Ontakesan Dounji was founded by the monk Zenkai in 1555. During the Hakuho era, in the Oku of Tarumizu , Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, Gyoki Bodhisattva, at the request of Emperor Shomu, carved a statue of Kannon Bodhisattva out of fragrant wood from India, enshrined it on Mount Ontake, and built the largest temple on the Chita Peninsula, "Ontake Sanhyakubo," with seven halls and 300 temples. However, in the 6th year of Tenbun (1537), the temple buildings and monks' quarters on Mount Ontake, which had been the center of faith and culture for hundreds of years, were completely burned down in a fire. It is said that to prevent the various halls from burning down, the Buddha statue was submerged in a pond and buried in the fields. As time passed, when the Ontake Pond was being re-dredged, the principal image of the temple, Amida Buddha (created in the late Heian period), emerged from the pond. With this sacred connection, the temple was built as a place of Nembutsu faith. This was the beginning of Mt. Ontake Dounji Temple, which has continued to carry on the flame of its teachings as a training center for nembutsu. Many people also make the pilgrimage to Kobo Daishi (the 62nd temple in Chita Shikoku), the pilgrimage to Kannon Bodhisattva (the 13th temple in Chita Saigoku), and the Bishamonten Festival. Also, be sure to check out "Neiko Daishi," a painting by Seto City artist Yasumaro Ozawa that brings the image of Kobo Daishi closer to you. Many visitors to Chita Shikoku are cat lovers, and the adorable cats will help you blow away any fatigue!