Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

THE LAYOUT OF A ZEN
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
Designed to facilitate the path to
englightenment, Zen Buddhist temples
transport worshippers from the earthly
world to that of the Buddha.

Based on Chinese Sung-dynasty Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), a Zen
structures, Japanese Zen temples are Buddhist temple in Kyoto
usually set out in a straight line. The
entrance is marked by a bridge over a
water, symbolizing the overcoming of
earthly obstacles. The main buildings,
including the Sanmon (main gate), Hatto
lecture hall, Butsuden (Buddha Hall),
medi tation or study hall, and the abbot’s
and monks’ quar ters, are beautiful but
natural looking. Often made of unpainted
wood, they are intended to be condu cive
to emptying the mind of worldly illusions, A serene statue of the Buddha in
facilitating enlightenment. Engaku-ji, Kamakura
Obai-in
TOP ZEN BUDDHIST subtemple
5 TEMPLES The Shariden,
enshrines the
Buddha’s tooth. Tokimune’s
Eihei-ji mausoleum
The “temple of eternal
peace” is a daihonzan Pond The Daiho-jo
(head temple) of the was once
Soto Zen sect. the abbot’s
quarters.
Gravel garden
Kinkaku-ji
The Golden Pavilion is Juniper trees,
reflected in the pond at The Butsuden grown from
this Kyoto temple (p199). contains an image seeds brought
of the Buddha. from China
Engaku-ji
The most beautiful of The
Kamakura’s five great thatched Karamon
(Chinese gate)
Zen temples (p157). Senbutsu-jo
serves as a Hatto
Ginkaku-ji meditation
hall
Despite its name, Former
Kyoto’s Silver Pavilion bath
was never covered
in silver foil (p195).
Soji-ji
This daihonzan is one of
the largest and busiest
temples in Japan.
The
Archery temple
hall
bell
The layout of Engaku-ji, The bridge The Sanmon
a Zen Buddhist temple over the White was built
in Kamakura Heron pond in 1783.

177

176-177_EW_Japan.indd 177 04/02/2019 15:57