Daikakuji temple
|
TEL : 075-871-0071 Address : 4 Sagaosawacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto Access : JR Kyoto Station > (city bus number 28) > Daikakuji Temple bus stop Parking : Parking available for 30 cars(Paid) Hours : Opning 9:00 – Closing 17:00 (Last entry 16:30) Entrance fee : 800 yen |
About Daikakuji temple
It was originally built as an imperial villa for Emperor Saga over 1,200 years ago and became a temple in 876. This temple is the head temple of the Daikakuji school of the Shingon sect. It houses a copy of the Heart Sutra handwritten by Emperor Saga and is also known as a center for the practice of sutra copying.
Various halls stand within the temple precincts, including the Shinden and Shoshinden, both designated as Important Cultural Properties.
The various halls are connected by charming wooden corridors, making for an enjoyable walk.
Osawa Pond is located on the east side of the temple. A stage is installed in the main hall, offering a view of this pond.
A temple for sutra copying and ikebana
Daikaku-ji is a temple dedicated to the practice of copying sutras. Within the temple grounds, there is a hall that houses copies of the Heart Sutra handwritten by several successive emperors, starting with Emperor Saga.
Sutra copying experiences are available daily without a reservation. I tried it myself, and the time spent carefully copying out the sutras brought a great sense of peace to my mind.
Daikaku-ji Temple is also known as the birthplace of Ikebana (traditional Japanese flower arranging).
Divine beasts and animals
A variety of paintings and crafts are on display at Daikakuji Temple. A dragon is painted on the ceiling of Yasui-do Hall. Dragons are guardian deities of the Buddhist teachings and are also said to protect temple halls from fire.
There are also shoji screens featuring illustrations of rabbits.
There are also ornaments shaped like cicadas.
