Hongan-ji Nagoya Betsuin

Main hall of Hongan-ji Betsuin in Nagoya

Interior of the main prayer hall on the second floor

The Hongan-ji Betsuin (本願寺派名古屋別院) is a Jōdo Shinshū buddhist temple located in Naka ward, Nagoya in central Japan.

History

Wooden belfry that survived World War II

The temple is run by the Ikko sect of Jōdo Shinshū. The temple is also called Nishi Honganji (西別院) as opposed to the Higashi Honganji (東本願寺名古屋別院). It dates back to about 1500 CE when chief abbot Rennyo's 13th child, Renjun, built Gansyo-ji in Ise's sugie. Later it fell on hard times and was renovated. In the early Edo period it was moved to the current location at the time of the construction of Nagoya Castle.

It was patronised by Baishō-in, one of the Shogun's main concubines.

The wooden building and artwork were largely destroyed during the bombing of Nagoya in World War II in May 1945. It was rebuilt in an pseudo-ancient Indian style. Only the wooden belfry has survived the war and remains intact.

On the grounds is a statue to the founder Shinran.

The Hongan-ji Betsuin houses the ashes of deceased persons, which are kept in their urns in metal lockers on the ground floor of the temple. By request from relatives, monks will perform prayer services for a fee.

The temple is reachable by subway from Ōsu Kannon Station.

External links

Media related to Honganji Nagoya Betsuin at Wikimedia Commons