Zenpoji Temple Ryûôson Zenpôji 龍王尊善宝寺
Area: Oyama/Yunohama
Distance from the station: 15 minutes (by car)
Type: Spiritual
History:
Ryuoson Zenpoji is one of the Three Main Soto Zen Buddhist temples in Japan, along with Myogonji Temple (Aichi Prefecture) and Saijôji Temple (Kanagawa Prefecture).
At the time it was first built in the 10th century, it was named Ryûgeji 龍華寺: "the temple of the Lotus and the Dragon." Even if it wasn't a Zen temple initially, its original name shows the dragon-god worshipping practice was already existing since the origin of this temple. It received its current name of Zenpoji after its rehabilitation into Zen Buddhism in the 15th century.
Because it is one of the most ancient dragon-worshipping temples in the North, many fishermen and sailors from the Tohoku region come to Zenpoji to pray to the dragon god. Dragons are water gods in Japanese culture, and they are thought to interfere with fishing, healing, travel, agriculture, and fertility.
Zenpoji played an essential role in the development of the Kitamaebune maritime road during the 18-19th century. Merchants and fishermen who traveled by sea sought the dragon god's protection during their journey. With all the donations made by those wealthy visitors, the temple could build in 855 the Gohyakurakan-dô, where the 531 statues called "Gohyaku Rakan" (the 500 Arthats) are exposed for people to mourn their lost ones. The Gohyaku Rakan all have different expressions and different faces so that people who, at the time, didn't have pictures to recollect about their loved ones could pray in front of a statue looking like the deceased person.
HIGHLIGHTS
Sanmon Gate Sanmon 山門
A giant gate that differs from the traditional Niomon gates that guard most of Buddhist Temples.
Zenpoji Temple's five-storied pagoda
This beautiful five-storied pagoda was built in 1883 and its 37 meters high.
Kaibami-iké pond's human faced fishes Jinmengyo 人面魚
The human-faced fishes of the lake made a fuss on Japanese TV in the 80s. They are thought to be incarnations of the dragon god.
The 500 Arhat Statues
Go hyaku rakan 五百羅漢
The 531 arhat statues can be visited during limited-time expositions only. (500 yen /person)
Zazen classes
Have a monk teach you how to practice "zazen": the way of sitting in order to get rid of superfluous thoughts.
The Great Wisdom prayer Hannyashingyô 般若心経
The monks of Zenpoji chant the Great Wisdom Sutra 6 times a day. It is free to attend.
Map:
Basic Info
Entrance fee: Free
Private visit: 500 yen /person
Open hours: 5:00 to 17:00
Closed days: None
Address: Sekine-100 Shimogawa, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-1117
Phone number: (+81)235-33-3303
Website: http://ryuoson.jp/
