Chionin

TEL :075-531-2111 Address :400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto Access :Kyoto Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station > 8 minutes walk

Introduction to Chionin temple

Chionin Temple began in 1175 when the monk Honen built a hermitage there. The first shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, believed in this temple, and the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, built various halls. It is now a huge temple and is the head temple of the Jodo sect.

Morning service

Morning services are held every morning from 6:30 am. No reservations are required and anyone can attend as long as they arrive at the start time.

I went inside the largest hall (Mieido Hall) and waited. Suddenly, I heard the sound of bells and the chanting of sutras in the distance. I hurried outside and found that a service had begun at the nearby Amida Hall.

There were a few other people besides me who made the mistake, so please be careful if you are attending the morning service.

When I entered the Amida Hall, I saw four monks chanting sutras. I sat at the back and listened for about 10 minutes, then I was told, “We’ll be moving to the Mieido Hall.”

The Amida Hall and the Mieido Hall are connected by a corridor. I followed the monk and returned to the Mieido Hall, which I had mistakenly entered at first.

I was allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the Mieido Hall, which is normally off-limits. I sat directly to the side, facing the monk chanting sutras in the center. After a while, a monk guided me to offer incense in front of the Amitabha statue.

After offering incense, I moved to the outer sanctuary and listened to a sermon by a monk. He said that Amitabha not only saves the dead, but also the living.

I got a bit worried at first because I got to the wrong place, but I had a great time.

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