Komyo-ji Temple

Japanese: 光明寺 - こうみょうじ

One of the main temples of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, located in Zaimokuza, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is called Amaterasu-san Renge-in. There are two theories about when it was founded, regarding the predecessor of this temple, Renge-ji Temple, but it is generally believed to have been founded by Hojo Tsunetoki, the regent of the Kamakura shogunate. The temple's founder, Ryochu, worked hard to spread the teachings and educate people under the protection of successive regents, and became revered as one of the three founders of the Jodo sect. His disciple, Ryogyo, is also considered to be the founder of the Shirohata school. It conveys the traditional style of the Juya Hoyo (a Buddhist chanting ceremony held every October), which was granted imperial permission in 1495 and later became widely held at Jodo sect temples. It has many valuable art pieces in its collection, including the National Treasure "Taima Mandala Engi Emaki," which depicts the legends surrounding the "Taima Mandala" of Taima-dera Temple in Nara, and the Important Cultural Property paintings of the Five Jodo Patriarchs.

Komyo-ji Temple

This temple is located in Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture. It is unclear when it was founded, but it is said to have been founded by Shoho (832-909), the founder of the Tozan sect of Shingon Shugendo. It is famous for its Niomon Gate, which was built in 1248. It is a double gate with a roof on the lower level as well, and has Nio statues at the back, making it a Buddhist temple. It is a representative surviving example of a double gate from the Middle Ages, and is a national treasure.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

神奈川県鎌倉市材木座にある浄土宗の大本山の1つ。天照山蓮華院と号す。開基に関しては，この寺の前身とされる蓮華寺をめぐって2説があるが，一般には鎌倉幕府の執権北条経時とされる。開山である良忠は，代々の執権の保護を受けて布教・教育に励み，浄土宗の三祖と仰がれるにいたった。また，その弟子2世良暁は白旗派の祖とされる。明応4 (1495) 年勅許を受け，のち浄土宗寺院で広く行われるようになった十夜法要 (毎年 10月に行われる念仏法要) の伝統的な流儀を伝える。奈良・当麻寺の『当麻曼荼羅』にまつわる伝説を描いた国宝『当麻曼荼羅縁起絵巻』ほか，重要文化財の浄土五祖絵など貴重な美術品を多く所蔵する。