Zenkoji Guide 。A new interpretation

History of Zenkoji: The statue of an

incarnation of Buddha is the most important

artifact in the Zenkoji religion. The statue is

called “Amida Nyorai”.

How was the statue made? The statue was made

in India. It appeared because of the needs of a

rich man whose name was Gakkai. He was very

greedy and had no religion at first. When his

lovely, beautiful daughter became seriously sick,

he asked Shakamuni to save her. But Shakamuni

told him it was impossible to save her because her

sick was caused by Gakkai’s own bad deeds. In

this world everybody has to say goodbye whom

they meet and every life must end. Nobody can

avoid from this fundamental principle. You should

understand this and change your greedy,

ill-natured ways. Please go home and nurse your

daughter on her deathbed.

Gakkai despaired and wanted to die.

Shakamuni felt sorry him and taught him the

only method to save his daughter. Turn over a

new leaf from your gilt you have done, and repeat

the spell “NAMAMIDABUTSU”from the west

side of your house. This will invite Buddha and

his follower saints. Then, not only your daughter

but also another people will recover completely

from their sickness.

When Gakkai repeated the spell, Buddha and

two saints appeared as a temporally image. They

showered the medicine over the people by dipping

a willow branch in a pot. People across the land

were cured. However, Gakkai’s daughter had died

already but, by Buddha’s light, she recovered.

Everybody in the country prayed to the three

Buddhas. Gakkai offered many thanks to Buddha,

and explained to say Shakamuni that he wanted

to make a copy of three Buddhas so that he and

his people would always remember and always

offer their prayers to Buddha.

Shakamuni said this was good, but it would be

better to use special gold for making the statue.

However the special gold could only be found in

the castle, which was in a deep sea. The castle

was called Ryuguh. And so it was difficult to get.

Shakamuni sent super messenger and got the

special gold by the principle logic of Buddha.

When the gold was placed on the special table, the

statue of three Buddhas was appeared. Gakkai

was very happy and made big cathedral for the

Zenkoji statue. All the people of the country

believed in Buddhism and prayed to the Zenkoji

statue.

How did the statue come to Japan? Before

Gakkai died, he asked Buddha if his spirit could

remain in the world so that he may continue to

serve Buddha.

His wish was granted and he was born again as

a King of Kudara in Korea-500 years later.

However, the King did not remember his past life,

and so the statue of Buddha appeared in the

imperial palace to remind the king of his former

life. He regretted his bad ways and prayed to the

Zenkoji statue. All people of the country believed

Zenkoji statue too. The statue stayed in Kudara

for more than a thousand years and saved many

people.

In the era of 9th King, Zenkoji statue told him

The Zenkoji cathedral,

in which there is

Zenkoji statue. This

cathedral was build

1703~1707.[1]

In front of Nagano

station, there is statue

of Nyozehime who is

daughter of Gakkai. [2]

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that it would go to Japan and save people who

had committed a crime. The king and all his loyal

subjects were struck by grief, but they bowed to

Buddha’s wish and sent the statue to Japan.

When the statue leave Kudara, Buddha told them

that nobody could avoid the pain of parting, so it

was better to wish to be born again in Paradise.

The statue arrived at Naniwazu in Osaka

during the era of Emperor Kinmei. Ambassador

and priests brought the statue to the Emperor.

The emperor asked his advisers whether he

should accept the statue or not. Almost all of his

advisers said he should refuse the statue save for

one man. His name was Iname Soga. He planed

with the Emperor to accept the statue. The

emperor bowed to Soga’s request and prayed to

the statue. 19 years later, the people of Japan

were suffering from a terrible disease. The

emperor asked his advisers how the disease could

be stopped. One of his advisers, Okoshi Mononobe,

said to the emperor that the reason for the plague

was the statue. As the emperor, who was

descendant of Japanese god had believed and

prayed to Buddha from foreign country, the

traditional god was angry. So, the Zenkoji statue

of Buddha should be abandoned.

It was sad the emperor soon agreed with

Mononobe.

Mononobe and his son Moriya tried to burn and

melt the statue, but they couldn’t destroy it. In

their surprise they throw the statue into the pond

of Horie in Naniwa.

Shotokutaishi, who made Japan’s first

constitution and united the country, and was also

a believer in Buddhism battled with Moriya and

defeated him. He went to pond Horie and pleaded

with the Zenkoji statue to return the Palace. The

statue replied to Shotokutaishi that it could not

go to the palace, because it was waiting for

someone under water.

How did the statue come to Nagano? There was

a very poor farmer in Ina, Shinano country, which

was then a southern part of Nagano prefecture.

His name was Yoshimitsu Honda. Governor of

Shinano country ordered Yoshimitsu to go to

capital with him as attendant. Yoshimitsu took

his son Yoshisuke with him. They stayed for 3

years. When the governor returned to Shinano

country, Yoshimitu asked the governor if he could

spend some time looking around the historic

spots.

Yoshimitsu walked around the capital. When he

was walking at the famous Horie of Naniwa,

there came a bright light from under the water.

He felt scared and tried to pass by the place. But

something came from the water and clung to his

back. Yoshimits was overcome by fear and tried to

beat it off. Then, there came a voice from his back.

“Dear Yoshimits. Don’t fear. I am deeply linked

with you. I am Buddha, whom you have always

loved. I have waited for you for a long time. I will

tell you a tale of your life... before you were born.”

“You were a rich man in India named Gakkai. You

called me from paradise and took care of me.

Then, you were born in Kudara as a King, named

Shomei. Now you have born in Japan, named

Yoshimitsu. I have returned to you. You should

realize and bereave me. As I will always take care

of you, take me to your country. I want to save the

greedy people.”Yoshimitsu moved to tears and

prayed with rapt attention.

And so he took the statue to Shinano country,

Ina. He put the statue his house and prayed very

hard every day. His house was so poor and dirty

that he decided to make a new temple for the

statue with the help of village people. But the

statue didn’t stay in the new temple. It soon came

back to his dirty house. The statue said. “A rich

and beautiful temple holds no meaning without

sincere prayer. Even if this house is poor and dirty,

it is comfortable for me, because there are people

who really pray for me.”

The statue stayed in Ina for 41 years. It said to

Yoshimitsu “Please take me to Nagano. I have a2

strong connection to this land.” Yoshomitsu took

the statue to Nagano and made a new temple. But

incredibly it soon came back to his poor house.

Suddenly his son, Yoshisuke died. Yoshimitsu

and his wife were struck with grief. But Yoshisuke

was helped by Buddha who returned him to this

world. On the way back he saw a beautiful

woman being attacked by demon. He joined with

the Zenkoji Buddha and together they saved the

woman. The woman got back her breathe in the

palace and Yoshisuke lived again in Shinano

country. The woman was Empress Kogyoku. She

gave many thanks to the Zenkoji Buddha and

ordered that a great cathedral be built in Nagano.

The cathedral was called Zenkoji after

Yoshomitsu.

This is summery of the history of Zenkoji.

Why is the Zenkoji statue hidden from us? Until

654 ad, everybody could see the Zenkoji statue.

But Zenkoji statue said “Please put me into a

small palace and erect a door before me. Evil

people come to touch me and breath on me. I don’t

like to see them to bear their guilt and be thrown

into hell.”From that year on we could not see the

Zenkoji statue. Now we can see only a copy of the

Zenkoji Buddha, which is kept in front of the door.

The real Zenkoji Buddha is behind the door,

which we can never see.

Properties of Zenkoji: The Zenkoji does not

have a written record, only tradition. The temple

is religious and not bureaucratic. The Zenkoji

does not have a specific denomination, it accepts

all faiths. So, the Zenkoji has always been loved

by the people.

Tour in the womb of Buddha: Under the

cathedral of Zenkoji, there is a dark tunnel. When

we enter the tunnel, we can’t see anything. We

walk in the dark. We feel along the wall. Then, we

find the key and touch it. After that, we can find a

slight light and pass through the tunnel. The key

is a symbol of the teaching of Buddhism. This is

the process of life.

The story of the cow and the old lady:There was an old lady in Komoro, where is south

east of Nagano. She was very greedy and impious.

One day when she was washing her clothes in the

river, a cow picked her clothes on its horn and run

a way. She followed the cow for many kilometers

until they finally arrived in the Zenkoji. Then, she

was struck by the realization that she had no

religion. She regretted her past life and became a

firm believer in Buddhism.

Zenkoji temple accepted women: Under

feudal times, woman could not enter temples.

Almost all temples were built by feudal lords. But

the Zenkoji temple was made by the people. It has

always accepted every body, both men and

women.

Beautiful guardians: There are two big

guardians at the front entrance of temple. [3] One

has its mouse open the other is closed. The

statues are dynamic and realistic and were built

in the style of the Meiji era. They were made

Koun Takamura and Unkai Yonehara, who was

famous artist of Meiji.

Five pigeons: Going up a slight slope, we find

a big gate. [4] It is called Sanmon. This has a big

golden flame on the second floor. In the flame we

can see the name “Zenkoji”in Chinese characters.

We can find five pigeons in sculpture of the

characters.

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Storehouse of sutra: There is a small house

on the left hand side near the front of the

cathedral. [5] It is also on the west side of

cathedral. There is big shed in the house. The

shape of the shed is octagon and it has a wooden

handle. If we push the handle, it is the same as

reading the sutra. What an easy way to read the

sutra!

Cathedral tolerated big earthquake: We

had a big earthquake in 1847. There were big

landslides and livers flooded. Many houses were

destroyed. It was called “Zenkoji earthquake”.

Evidence of the earthquake is the twisted column

of the cathedral. Other evidence is the trace of

being hit by a heavy bell. The bell dropped from a

hook and chipped column. But the cathedral

survived.

Recently it is said that wood was not completely

dried the carpenters had very wisely taken even

the chance of an earthquake account.

Footprint of Buddha: Shakamuni forbid

people to pray his icon when he died. The

followers puzzled and thought of a way to bypass

this decree. And so the footprint was worshipped.

They made footprint of Shakamuni and prayed

very hard.

Big bell: We find a big bell on the right side of

the front of the cathedral. [7] On January 7th 1998,

the bell informed the world that the Olympic

games had began. Of cause it chimes everyday

and at the end of the year, 108 times to renounce

worldly desires.

Six statues of Zizo: We find six statues of Zizo

on right hand side of the face of Sanmon. [8] Six

mean six levels of life in Buddhism. They are hell,

hungry demon, beast, struggle, human, and

haven. They are the side of our consciousness. We

circulate these processes in spiral in our life.

Lied Buddha: We find the statue of

Shakamuni Nirvana near east of six statues of

Zizo. [9] There are many Buddhism inns around

the house of Nirvana. The Nirvana statue was

always followed Zenkoji statue. It was made in

Kamakura era.

There are many temples of sects: Daikanjin

is Tendai sect and Daihongan is West Hongan sect,

which are most important ones. There are many

temples of another sect. Daikanjin has many

treasures. Priest of Daihongan is a woman. [10],

[11]4

Footprint is under

part of photo. [6]

Rosary touch: Priests of Daikanjin and

Daihongan pray in the cathedral everyday

morning. On the way to their house from

cathedral, they touch their rosaries to our heads.

We feel holy mood through touching the rosary.

Tombstone of Yoshimitsu: There is a shrine

behind Zenkoji, which name is Yubuku. [12] There

is a tombstone under the big oak trees in the

shrine. It is said the stone is tomb of Yoshimitsu

Honda, who founded Zenkoji temple.

There are charming shops around Zenkoji:Red pepper shop Isogoro [13] is most famous

souvenir shop. Taste of pepper is very nice. It is

popular with compact souvenir.

Manju shop Tsuruya [14] is also popular. The

Manju is steamed by sake. The taste and smell is

very nice.

Konokonbo [15] is inn of Buddhism, which

supports Daihongan sect. We can eat priest’s

vegetarian diet. It is very nice taste and fits sake.

There are many Buddhism inns around Zenkoji.

Yayoiza [16] is good restaurant, in which we can

eat good steamed meat and vegetable. Also we can

eat good sweets and coffee.

Restaurant Sakura [17] is very nice restaurant of

Japanese taste. Also we can drink good sake,

because it is sake maker.

Umbrella shop Mikawaya [18] is very charming.

We can see good original designed handmade

umbrella. Of cause we can order our original

pattern and buy. The master and his wife are very

nice.

Japanese cake shop Kiseei [19] is very nice. We

can buy original Japanese cake and Oyaki

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dumpling.

Eels shop Sumiyosi [20] is behind Zenkoji temple.

We can eat very nice eels. After going to Zenkoji

temple, many people go to eat eels to this

restaurant for power up.

Japanese cake shop Eishindo [21] sells also

Hanami dumpling, Japanese cake and rice cake.

The taste is very nice.

Buckwheat noodle restaurant Kitanoya [22] is old,

but taste is very good. Templa and Zarusoba is

best combination, I feel. The restaurant has very

good Templa.

Restaurant Mankatei [23] has good Jaanese dish.

Especially the view is very nice in Sakura season.

Night view is best.

Yakitori restaurant Toriken [24] has strong

personality. Yakitori is special good taste. It is

master’s original one.

Oyaki dumpling shop Shoeido [25] sells

homemade Oyaki and Manju, which have

traditional country taste. An old lady makes these

Oyaki and Manju herself.

Ogawa village shop [26] sells farmer’s original

product and Oyaki. Especially, I like dried

mushroom.

Souvenir crafts shop Takei [27] sells interesting

crafts souvenir.

Shinano museum have good arts. Especially, there

are many beautiful arts of Kaii Higashiyama who

is Japanese painter. [28]

There may be more interesting points in Zenkoji.

Please find yourself your interpretation.

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By the way, this year is Gokaityou. Gokaityou

means open the door of a copy of Zenkoji statue.

We can see only the copy statue. In front of the

face of cathedral, there is tall and thick wooden

pole. The pole is tied onto the hand of the copy

statue by a long string. If we touch the pole, we

can get same merit to touch the copy statue. The

copy statue is incarnation of the Zenkoji statue,

which we can never see and touch. Usually we

can’t see even the copy statue. We can see the

copy statue once seven years. It is Gokaityou.

If you touch the pole and get signed document, it

is same that you pray to Amida Nyorai for going

to paradise.

In addition, we have flower festival from 2002.

From April to May we can see many flowers both

side of Chuoh Street from Nagano station to the

entrance of Zenkoji temple, Daimon. Especially

April 28 to30, we can see beautiful carpet of tulip

petal on the Street of Zenkoji Daimon. This is

called infiorata. Many people come to see this

beautiful carpet. [29]

Please enjoy walking around Zenkoji!

(April 28, 2003)

Note: Gothic numbers in the document show

the number of map.

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