A temple of good fortune with 600 years of history that enshrines the secret Buddha statue "Kurohonzon" associated with Tokugawa Ieyasu
All permits were obtained for filming.
Filming cooperation:
・Zojoji Temple
https://www.zojoji.or.jp
・Vma plus Co., Ltd.
https://www.vma-plus.com
Support for permit applications
・Treif Administrative Scrivener's Office
https://traif-g.com
[Word of the Month July 2023]
Time flies and Obon will soon be upon us. Please offer prayers for your ancestors.
This month's quote is taken from Chapter 16 of the "Senshu Hongan Nembutsu Shu," which is said to be the doctrinal book of the Jodo sect and was written by Honen Shonin when he was 66 years old.
If we think about it quietly, we can see that Master Zendo's "Commentary on the Sutra of the Contemplation of the Buddha" is a guide to going to the Western Pure Land, and is an important tool that acts as the eyes and feet of practitioners. In that case, practitioners who wish to go to the Western Pure Land must respect and venerate it.
Honen Shonin was in agony because he could not find the way to save ordinary people even in his studies and training at Mount Hiei, and even in his travels to Nara. One day, while reading the commentary on the Sutra of Contemplation of the Buddha, written by the great nembutsu master Zendo Daishi during the Tang Dynasty in China, he suddenly understood the essence of the book, immediately abandoned other practices, and returned to the practice of nembutsu. He was inspired by the passage in the section "Sanzengi" of the book, "With one mind and with one heart, concentrating on the name of Amida, walking, standing, lying down, no matter when or where, for a long time, one who does not abandon thought, this is the correct name for one's deeds, because one follows the Buddha's wish." Honen said that the passage "Because one follows the Buddha's wish" touched his soul deeply and he took it to heart. Therefore, this passage is called the passage that founded the Jodo sect.
Deep religious inspiration, realizations and awakenings are truly mysterious things that suddenly appear, perhaps due to the foundation of long training, or perhaps due to various opportunities. It is said that when Honen Shonin read this passage, his heart suddenly became warm and he could not stop crying.
This happened in the spring of March 1175, when the priest was 43 years old. Honen's heart was turned around by the opening passage of the "Commentary on the Sutra of the Contemplation of the Buddha," and he returned to chanting the Nembutsu and practicing the Nembutsu exclusively. He therefore lived his life believing that he relied solely on the Master Zendo.
Next year will mark 850 years since the conversion of Honen Shonin. Let us remember the hardships and sufferings of these two great masters and chant the Nembutsu.
Access to Zojoji Temple
4-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011
Website: https://www.zojoji.or.jp/
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