Page 97 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Tokyo

BEY OND T OK Y O  95

The Layout of a Zen Buddhist Temple

Japanese Zen temple layout is typically based on Chinese Sung-dynasty tem ples.
Essentially rectilinear and symmetrical (in contrast to native Japanese asym metry), Zen
temples have the main buildings in a straight line one behind another, on a roughly
north-south axis. The main buildings comprise the Sanmon (main gate), Butsuden
(Buddha Hall), Hatto lecture hall, sometimes a meditation or study hall, and the abbot’s
and monks’ quarters. In practice, sub temples often crowd around the main buildings and
may obscure the basic layout. The temple compound is entered by a bridge over a pond or
stream, symbolically crossing from the earthly world to that of the Buddha. Buildings are
natural looking, often of unpainted wood, conducive to emptying the mind of worldly
illusions, to facilitate enlighten ment. The example below is based on Engaku-ji.

The Shariden, in Shozoku-in Obai-in
subtemple, enshrines the subtemple
Buddha’s tooth. The building
is a National Treasure due to
its Zen architecture.

The Butsunichian subtemple
is the mausoleum of Tokimune
and contains a statue of him.
The Daiho-jo was formerly the
Pond abbot’s quarters and is now
used for religious rituals. Next
to it are a kitchen and library.

Juniper trees are sometimes
Gravel planted near the main buildings
The Butsuden garden and are often grown from seeds
(Buddha Hall) supposedly brought from China
contains an image of by the founder.
the Buddha. The hall
at Engaku-ji was Former Hatto Karamon (Chinese gate)
rebuilt in 1964. (lecture hall)
Former bath
The Senbutsu-jo is
a thatched building
where priests used
to be ordained. It
now occasion ally
serves as a
meditation hall.

The temple bell at
Archery Engaku-ji, the largest in
hall Kamakura, dates from
1301 and is now rung
Somon only on New Year’s Eve.
(gate)
The bridge to Engaku-ji
The Sanmon is the main crosses the White Heron pond.
gate. Made of wood and The path also crosses the rail
held together without nails, track, doubling the symbolism
it was built in 1783. of leaving the real world.

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