Sainenji Temple

This is an independent temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect in Inada, Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a special head temple. Its mountain name is Inadasan. The principal image is Amida Nyorai. It is a sacred site that became the base for Saint Shinran's religious spread to the eastern provinces, and is also called Inada Gobo and Inada Zenbo. In 1211 (Kenryaku 1), Shinran, who was released from exile in Echigo, was invited by the feudal lord Inada Kuro Yorishige, and lived in a hermitage here for about 20 years, where he wrote his main work, Kyogyo Shinsho, and is therefore considered a sacred place for the founding of the sect. It was founded by Inada Yorishige, who became a monk, became a disciple of the founder of the sect, and renamed it Kyoyobo. In 1304 (Kagen 2), during the time of the 4th head priest Sokei, the temple was called Sainenji, and from the Edo period onwards it enjoyed a high status thanks to the patronage of successive Tokugawa families. In 1871 (Meiji 4), the temple buildings were burned down in a fire during the Mito Tengu Party incident, but were later rebuilt. Within the temple grounds are the sect founder's mausoleum and Otsuesugi cedar, which is associated with the legend of Shinran. The Kechien Grand Ceremony held from April 14th to 18th is a grand affair. Temple treasures include a portrait and original writings of the founder.

[Oshika Saneaki]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

茨城県笠間(かさま)市稲田(いなだ)にある浄土真宗系の単立寺院。別格本山。山号は稲田山。本尊は阿弥陀如来(あみだにょらい)。親鸞(しんらん)聖人東国教化の根拠地となった聖跡であり、稲田御坊(ごぼう)、稲田禅房(ぜんぼう)ともいう。1211年（建暦1）、越後(えちご)流罪を解かれた親鸞が、領主稲田九郎頼重(よりしげ)に招請され、以後約20年間この地に草庵(そうあん)を結び、主著『教行信証(きょうぎょうしんしょう)』を著したので、立教開宗の聖地とされる。出家して宗祖の弟子となり教養坊と改名した稲田頼重を開基とする。1304年（嘉元2）4世宗慶のときに西念寺と称し、江戸時代以後は徳川家代々の外護(げご)を受けて寺格も高かった。1871年（明治4）水戸天狗党(みとてんぐとう)事件の兵火で堂宇を焼失するが、のち再建された。境内には宗祖廟所(びょうしょ)、親鸞の伝説にまつわる御杖杉(おつえすぎ)などがある。4月14～18日の結縁(けちえん)大法会は盛大。寺宝に宗祖真影、真筆などがある。

［大鹿実秋］

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