Enryaku-ji

Konpon-chūdō (根本中堂), Enryaku-ji's main hall

Enryaku-ji (延暦寺, Enryaku-ji) is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was founded during the early Heian period. The temple complex was established by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayana Buddhism to Japan from China. Enryaku-ji is the headquarters of the Tendai sect and one of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history. The founders of Jōdo-shū, Sōtō Zen, and Nichiren Buddhism all spent time at the monastery. Enryaku-ji is also the home of the "marathon monks."

History

With the support of Emperor Kammu, the Buddhist monk Saichō ordained a hundred disciples in 807. Maintaining a strict discipline on Mt. Hiei, his monks lived in seclusion for twelve years of study and meditation. After this period, the best students were retained in positions in the monastery and others graduated into positions in the government. At the peak of its power, Enryaku-ji was a huge complex of as many as 3,000 sub-temples and a powerful army of warrior monks (僧兵, sōhei). In the tenth century, succession disputes broke out between Tendai monks of the line of Ennin and Enchin. These disputes resulted in opposing Tendai centers at Enryaku-ji and at Mii-dera, known respectively as the Mountain Order (山門, sanmon) and the Temple Order (寺門, jimon). Warrior monks were used to settle the disputes, and Tendai leaders began to hire mercenary armies who threatened rivals and even marched on the capital to enforce monastic demands.

As part of a program to remove all potential rivals and unite the country, warlord Oda Nobunaga ended this Buddhist militancy in 1571 by attacking Enryaku-ji, leveling the buildings and slaughtering monks. Enryaku-ji's current structures date from the late 16th century through the first half of the 17th century, when the temple was reconstructed following a change of government.

Today, most of Enryaku-ji's buildings are clustered in three areas: Tō-tō (東塔, "East Pagoda"), Sai-tō (西塔, "West Pagoda"), and Yokokawa (横川). The monastery's most important buildings are concentrated in Tō-tō.

Collusion with organized crime syndicates

In April 4 2006, Enryaku-ji performed ceremony for former leaders of Yamaguchi-gumi which is one of the largest organized crime syndicates (Yakuza) in Japan.

Because of circumstances that Yakuza ceremonies have been used for their fund-raising and power demonstrating, Shiga Prefectural Police requested Enryakuji to reject their ceremony. But Enryaku-ji denied it and not only received their donation which consists of crime-related money but also accepted nearly 100 senior leaders to attend.

After reports from the Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun newspapers, Enryaku-ji faced a nationwide scandal. They were also criticized by the Japan Buddhist Temple Association (representing 75,000 buddhism temples), which led the movement against the Yakuza. Finally on May 18th all representative directors of Enryaku-ji resigned, apologizing on their website and in e-mails which were sent to 3,000 branch temples.

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  Great Lecture Hall (大講堂, Daikō-dō)

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  Hall of Initiation (灌頂堂, Kanjō-dō)

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  Monju-rō gate (文殊楼, Monju-rō)

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  Bell Tower (鐘楼, Shōrō)

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  East Pagoda (東塔, Tō-tō)

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  Amida Hall (阿弥陀堂, Amida-dō)

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  Ordination Hall (戒壇院, Kaidan-in)

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  Yokokawa Main Hall (横川中堂, Yokokawa-chūdō)

See also

• Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)
• List of Buddhist temples in Kyoto
• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
• List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (ancient documents)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)
• Tourism in Japan

References

• Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1956). Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869. Kyoto: The Ponsonby Memorial Society.

External links

• Official site (English)
• Japan Atlas: Enryaku-Ji Temple
• Photos of Mount Hiei and the three precincts of Enryaku-ji Temple