Shunkō-in

Shunkō-in (春光院, Temple of the Ray of Spring Light) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and belongs to the Myōshinji (Temple of Excellent Mind) school, which is the largest among 14 Japanese Rinzai Zen Buddhist schools. The temple was established in 1590 by Horio Yoshiharu, who was a feudal lord, or "daimyō", of Matsue in present-day Shimane Prefecture. This temple houses important historical objects that reflect the multifaceted religious and artistic atmosphere in Japan from the sixteenth century onward.

The Bell of Nanban-ji

The Bell of Nanbanji is a Jesuit bell made in Portugal in 1577. The bell was used at Nanbanji Church, which was established by Jesuit Father Gnecchi-Soldo Organtino with the support of Oda Nobunaga in 1576. However, the church was destroyed in 1587 because Regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi made the first law against Christians in Japan. The Bell of Nanbanji came to Shunkōin during the Edo period. This bell tells us about the history of Christianity in Japan during the 16th century and about the political and economic relationship between Japan and Europe, especially Portugal and Spain.

Kirishitan Lantern, or Hidden Christian Lantern

The Edo period (between 1603 and 1867) was the dark age of Japanese Christians. Christianity was banned, and Christians were systematically eliminated by the Tokugawa shogunate, or Edo bakufu. However, some Christians kept their faith and hid their religious identity. Those hidden Christians made their crosses and graves cleverly to resemble the Buddhist statues, pagodas, and stone lanterns. Shunkōin’s hidden Christian lantern is one of those religious objects.

The Garden of Bolders, or Sazareishi-no-niwa

The Garden of Bolders, or Sazareishi-no-niwa, is the main garden of Shunkōin. The theme of the garden is Ise Shrine, or "Ise Jingū", in Mie Prefecture. Ise Shrine is the head shrine of all Shinto shrines in Japan. This garden houses a forest to Amaterasu-ōmikami, a sun goddess, and a shrine to Toyouke-no-ōmikami, a goddess of agriculture. It is common to see Buddhist and Shintō objects enshrined at the same place in Japan because until the Meiji period (in the late 19th and early 20th century), it was a popular belief in Japan that Shinto deities are various forms of the Buddha that existed to save people.

Sliding Door Panels, or fusuma-e, by Eigaku Kanō

Several sliding door panels at Shunkōin were painted by Kanō Eigaku. Some of the paintings have Confucian teachings as their theme. Confucianism was very important to samurai, or warriors, during the Edo period because Confucianism taught samurai about honor, loyalty, and honesty.

Azaleas ofD.T. Suzuki

Shunkōin was one of the most important places in Japanese Buddhist philosophy in the early 20th century. D. T. Suzuki and Shinichi Hisamatsu, who are two of the most famous Japanese Zen Buddhist philosophers, discussed the future of Japanese Buddhism at this temple. There are azaleas planted by D.T. Suzuki in the front garden of Shunkōin.

Zen Meditation Classes

After learning about Japanese history from the precious objects housed at Shunkōin, visitors are also able to experience Zen meditation classes, or zazen-kai. Traditionally, this type of meditation has been considered the highest form of Buddhist practice used to reach enlightenment. Today, Zen meditation has become one of the most popular alternative treatments for many physical and mental health problems. At Shunkōin Temple, all Zen meditation classes start with a reception and basic instruction. Then, visitors get a chance to seek for their own inner peace during a 45-minute meditation session. A bowl of powdered green tea, or matcha, and Japanese sweets are served at the end of each class. Each Zen meditation class and tour is 90-minute long.

Tourist Information

Shunkōin not only offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Rinzai Zen Buddhism, but also to see valuable objects representative of important epochs in Japanese history.　All tours and Zen meditation classes are given in English by the American-educated vice-abbot, Rev. Taka Kawakami. The temple also offers its accommodations. Two rooms with a private shower room and toilet and three rooms with shared shower rooms and toilets (4,000 - 5,000 yen/person); group visit welcome; Time: 9:00, 10:40, and 13:30 (total of 90 minutes);Price: 2,000 yen/person for a Zen meditation class and tour, 1,500 yen/person for a Zen meditation(the prices include a bowl of maccha green tea and Japanese sweet); Tel: [phone]; Website: [http://www.shunkoin.com/ www.shunkoin.com] .

Links

[http://www.shunkoin.com/ Shunkoin Temple]

References