Temple - Jiin

Japanese: 寺院 - じいん

A building where a Buddha statue is enshrined and where monks and nuns live to worship, practice, and perform rituals. The Sanskrit words for temple are vihāra and samghārāma, the former transliterated as hikara and the latter as sangharama, or simply garan. Both are translated as "shoja" (a Buddhist temple), meaning a building where monks and nuns live to practice their asceticism.

[Abejien]

India

Famous monasteries include Jetavana in Shravasti and Bamboo Grove in Rajagriha, both built during the reign of Shakyamuni. In the 3rd century BC, with the support of King Ashoka and others, stupas were built to enshrine the remains of Shakyamuni in Buddhist holy sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sanchi, and Sarnath, and these became centers of faith and temples were built there. From around the 1st century BC, rock-cut temples were built in Ajanta, Ellora, and other places. During the Mahayana Buddhism period, large, comprehensive university-style temples where teachings were studied were built on flat land along large rivers. Nalanda and Vikramashila temples are typical examples.

In addition, Tibetan lamas' towers and Myanmar (Burma) pagodas are also considered to be a type of stupa. Tibetan Buddhist (Lamaist) temples in Tibet and Mongolia also inherited the style of Indian academic temples. The Borobudur ruins in Java and the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom in Cambodia are also famous as Buddhist temples.

[Abejien]

China

In China, the word "temple" originally meant "government office." The Honglo Temple, which was in charge of business and entertainment for foreigners, hosted monks from the Western Regions, and later all addresses of monks and nuns came to be called "temples." Meanwhile, "in" originally meant "a fence surrounding it," but by extension meant "a building with a fence and corridors" and was also used to refer to "official residences." It can also mean "an annex within a temple." The first use of "in" was in the Honkyoin Temple of the Da Ci'en Temple in the Tang Dynasty. Later, the two words were combined to become "temple." The first temple in China is said to be the White Horse Temple (75) built in Luoyang by Emperor Ming of the Later Han Dynasty, or the Jianchu Temple (247) built by King Sun Quan of Wu. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, temples were built in great numbers, and famous temples such as Hongfu Temple and Da Ci'en Temple were built one after another.

[Abejien]

Japan

After Buddhism was introduced to Japan, people learned of Buddhist culture on the continent through Japanese envoys to the Sui and Tang dynasties, monks studying abroad, and even naturalized people of Baekje descent, which increased their enthusiasm for building temples. Local nobles and royalty competed to build small halls like Jibutsu-do (Buddha halls) in their own mansions, enshrined statues of Buddha, and prayed for the prosperity of their families and the safety of their descendants. Such private homes that were converted into temples are called private temples. The first such temple is said to have been built in 552 (the 13th year of Emperor Kinmei's reign) by Soga no Iname at Mukahara-dera (Toyura-dera). Prince Shotoku also built Horyu-ji Temple for his father, Emperor Yomei, and the Soga clan also built Hōkō-ji Temple to promote the spread of Buddhism. However, the first full-scale temples were Asuka-dera Temple and Shitenno-ji Temple, built at the end of the 6th century. On the other hand, in 639 (the 11th year of Emperor Jomei's reign), the first large-scale temple built by an emperor as a "great temple" was Kudara-oji Temple (later renamed Takechi-oji Temple, Taikan-ji Temple, and Daian-ji Temple).

In the Nara period, Emperor Shomu built provincial temples and nunneries based on the ideas of the Konkomyo Saishookyo Sutra, and prayed for the development and improvement of the regions through Buddhist culture. The provincial governors of each province were responsible for their construction and repair. Emperor Shomu made a wish to build provincial temples in 741 (Tenpyo 13), and in 743 he decided to create a gilt bronze Vairocana Buddha. Todaiji Temple was then built to the east of Heijo-kyo, the capital of the country, with the Great Buddha, which was based on the Kegon Sutra, as its principal image. It was the largest temple of its time, and boasted a grandeur as a world-class mega-temple based on world culture. Nara Buddhism (Nanto Rokushu), centered on Todaiji Temple, was also called sect Buddhism, and was centered on the study of Buddhist doctrines.

In response to this, Heian Buddhism, centered around Saicho and Kukai, moved away from the large temples around Nara and built new mountain temples in the mountains, with training halls for monks at the center. Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei, founded by Saicho, was divided into three temple complexes, the East Pagoda, the West Pagoda, and the Yokokawa Pagoda, and monks were not allowed to leave the mountain for 12 years after entering the temple. Kukai also advanced to Toji Temple (Kyoogokokuji Temple) in Kyoto, where he performed the Denpo Kanjo ceremony established by Amoghavajra Tripitaka, and built Kongobuji Temple on Mount Koya (Wakayama Prefecture). Here, temple complexes were formed with the large pagoda at the center. In the mid-Heian period, temples were frequently established for the personal prayers of the emperor. Famous examples include Emperor Saga's Ninnaji Temple and Emperor Gosanjo's Enshuji Temple, but some were built from the beginning and others were newly built in response to the emperor's wishes. Later, Fujiwara no Michinaga built Hojoji Temple as his clan temple, modelled on the Shinden-zukuri style of architecture, with a main hall, Yakushi-do Hall, Amida-do Hall, nine-story pagoda and a pond, and Emperor Shirakawa also built Hossho-ji Temple. Later, six temples were built in the Higashiyama area, and Kyoto truly took on the spectacular spectacle of being a Buddhist capital. However, the Genpei War of the Hogen and Heiji eras (1156-1160) turned the Buddhist capital into hell, reducing the magnificent temples to ashes. In the large temples of the Heian period, the "Bettou" (chief priest), "Zasu" (abbot), and "Choja" (chief priest) managed the temples, and there were organizations such as scholars who studied Buddhist doctrines and doshu (members of the temple complex) who protected the temples and pagodas.

In the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo rebuilt temples that had been burned down by the Heike clan, and samurai and retainers built temples all over the country to pray for their own continued military success. Since samurai often died in battle, they had designated temples where they could pray for their salvation after death. Samurai were particularly fond of Zen Buddhism, and aimed to unite sword and Zen, devoting themselves to zazen meditation in Zen halls. In addition, Honen Genku and Shinran, who appealed to the people to chant Nembutsu (Namu Amida Butsu) during the wars, asked people to believe in Amida Buddha alone, and Nichiren emphasized chanting only the six-syllable name of the Buddha (Namu Myoho Renge Kyo), so these temples enshrine only Amida Buddha and do not have side Buddhas. In temples centered on such Patriarchal Buddhism, the halls for preaching to the public are larger than the space for enshrining the principal image.

In the Edo period, temples were mainly built within towns, and temple districts were established especially in castle towns. Furthermore, the shogunate confiscated the ancient temple lands and instead granted them fiefs. The shogunate also strengthened the relationship between main temples (head temples) and branch temples, i.e. the honmatsu system. Furthermore, due to the shogunate's ban on Christianity, the danka system was established, which required people to belong to a temple. Later, due to the Meiji government's policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism, many temples were consolidated or abolished.

[Teikai Hiraoka]

"Research on the History of Japanese Temples" by Teikai Hiraoka (1981, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)

[References] | Buddhist architecture

Ajanta cave temples
Cave 26 (Chaitya Cave). It has a horseshoe-shaped plan, a vast interior, and a high ceiling. The colonnade is imposing, and at the back is a stupa with a carved image of the deity making the preaching mudra. Part of the Ajanta Caves, a World Heritage Site (India, registered in 1983) Ajanta, India ©Shogakukan ">

Ajanta cave temples

Elephanta cave temples (interior)
Cave 1. It has three entrances on the east, north, and west sides, which is a unique style of Hinduism. In the back, the "Three-faced Shiva" is enshrined. World Heritage Site "Elephanta Caves" (India, registered in 1987) Elephanta Island, India ©Shogakukan ">

Elephanta cave temples (interior)

Ellora cave temples
Of all the caves, the 16th cave, Kailasanatha, is architecturally the most interesting. It is a single-stone structure carved from a huge block of rock. World Heritage Site "Ellora Caves" (India, registered in 1983) Aurangabad, India ©Shogakukan ">

Ellora cave temples

Shwedagon Pagoda
A symbol of the Buddhist nation of Myanmar. The golden spire is 99 meters high and is the largest pagoda in the country. Yangon, Myanmar ©Masashi Tanaka ">

Shwedagon Pagoda

Angkor Thom
The central temple, Bayon. It consists of a double corridor, a main hall in the center, a high tower, and a small shrine. Part of the World Heritage Site "Angkor" (Cambodia, registered in 1992) Near Siem Reap, Cambodia ©Masashi Tanaka ">

Angkor Thom

Jionji Temple
Behind is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built with five stories at the request of Xuanzang during the Tang Dynasty. The current seven-story pagoda was renovated later, and is 64 meters tall, making it a tourist attraction in Xi'an. ©Shogakukan ">

Jionji Temple

Shitennoji Temple
The photo shows the Chumon Gate. Corridors continue on both sides, and the five-story pagoda and Kondo Hall are located in the back. Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture ©Osaka Tourism Bureau (Osaka Tourism and Convention Bureau, a public interest incorporated foundation)

Shitennoji Temple

Enryakuji Temple (East Pagoda) Main Hall
The building in the back is the Konponchudo (national treasure), and in the foreground is the corridor (nationally designated important cultural property). Part of the World Heritage "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto City, Uji City, Otsu City)" (registered in 1994) Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture © Lake Biwa Visitors Bureau ">

Enryakuji Temple (East Pagoda) Main Hall

Kongobu-ji Temple
Main hall. Part of the World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" (registered in 2004) Koyasan Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture ©Wakayama Prefecture ">

Kongobu-ji Temple

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

仏像を安置し、僧尼がそこに住んで、礼拝(らいはい)・修行・儀式などを行う建物をいう。寺院に相当するサンスクリット語にはビハーラvihāraとサンガーラーマsamghārāmaとがあり、前者は毘訶羅(ひから)、後者は僧伽藍摩(さんがらんま)、略して伽藍(がらん)と音写される。修行に精励する僧尼の住む舎という意味で、いずれも「精舎(しょうじゃ)」などと訳される。

［阿部慈園］

インド

精舎としては、釈尊時代に建てられた舎衛城(しゃえいじょう)の祇園(ぎおん)精舎、王舎城の竹林(ちくりん)精舎が有名である。紀元前3世紀、アショカ王などの援助で、ブッダガヤ、サーンチー、サールナートなどの仏教聖地に、釈迦(しゃか)の遺骨（仏舎利(ぶっしゃり)）を祀(まつ)るため仏塔(ぶっとう)（ストゥーパ）が建てられ、そこが信仰の中心となり寺院が建立された。前1世紀ころからアジャンタやエローラなどに石窟(せっくつ)寺院がつくられた。大乗仏教時代になると、大河沿いの平地に教えを学ぶ総合大学形式の大規模な寺院が造営された。ナーランダやビクラマシラー寺院はその典型である。

　なお、チベットのラマ塔やミャンマー（ビルマ）のパゴダなども一種のストゥーパとみなされる。チベットやモンゴルのチベット仏教（ラマ教）寺院もインドの学問寺の形式を継承している。ジャワのボロブドゥール遺跡やカンボジアのアンコール・トムのバイヨン寺も仏教系寺院として有名である。

［阿部慈園］

中国

中国で「寺」とは元来「役所」を意味した。外国人の事務・接待をつかさどる鴻臚寺(こうろじ)で西域(さいいき)からの僧をもてなしたので、のちには僧尼の住所をすべて「寺」とよぶようになった。一方、「院」とは、もとは「周囲に巡らした垣」をいったが、転じて「周垣・回廊のある建物」を意味し、「官舎」の名にも用いられた。「寺の中の別舎」をいうこともある。「院」の最初は唐の大慈恩寺(だいじおんじ)の翻経院(ほんきょういん)である。のちに両語をあわせて「寺院」とよぶようになった。中国の寺院の最初は、後漢(ごかん)の明帝(めいてい)が洛陽(らくよう)に建立した白馬寺(はくばじ)（75）とも、呉(ご)王孫権(そんけん)の建初寺(けんしょじ)（247）ともいわれる。隋(ずい)・唐時代になると盛んに寺院が建てられ、弘福寺(こうふくじ)、大慈恩寺などの著名な寺院が次々と建立された。

［阿部慈園］

日本

日本では仏教伝来以降、遣隋使、遣唐使、留学僧、さらには百済(くだら)系帰化人を通じて大陸の仏教文化を知り、造寺への意欲を高めた。土地の豪族や王族は競って自分の住む邸宅の中に持仏(じぶつ)堂のような小堂を造立して仏像を祀(まつ)り、わが家の繁栄と子孫の安泰を祈った。このような私宅を改めて寺院としたものを私宅寺院とよぶ。552年（欽明天皇13）蘇我稲目(そがのいなめ)の向原寺(むくはらでら)（豊浦寺(とゆらでら)）がその最初と伝えられる。聖徳太子も父用明(ようめい)天皇のために法隆寺を建て、蘇我氏も法興寺を建立して仏法の興隆を図った。しかし本格的な寺院の最初は、6世紀末に建てられた飛鳥寺(あすかでら)、四天王寺である。一方、639年（舒明天皇11）に天皇が初めて「大寺(おおてら)」として大規模な寺院を建てたのが百済大寺(くだらおおてら)（のち高市大寺(たけちのおおてら)、大官大寺(たいかんたいじ)、大安寺(だいあんじ)と改称）である。

　奈良時代には聖武(しょうむ)天皇が『金光明最勝王経(こんこうみょうさいしょうおうきょう)』の思想に基づき国分寺・国分尼寺を建て、仏教文化による地方の発展と向上を願った。またその運営にあたってはその国の国司がその造営と修理にあたった。聖武天皇は741年（天平13）に国分寺を建てることを発願し、743年に金銅の毘盧遮那(びるしゃな)大仏をつくることを決意した。そして『華厳(けごん)経』に基づいて造像された大仏を本尊として、国の都である平城京の東に東大寺が造営されたが、それは当時の最大規模のものであり、世界文化を踏まえた世界的な巨大寺院としてその偉容を誇った。また東大寺を中心とする奈良仏教（南都六宗）は学派仏教ともいわれ、仏教の教理の研究が中心であった。

　これに対して平安仏教は、最澄(さいちょう)と空海(くうかい)を中心として、奈良周辺の巨大寺院から離れて、新しく山岳の中に僧侶(そうりょ)の修行の道場を中心とする山岳寺院が建てられた。最澄が開いた比叡山(ひえいざん)の延暦寺(えんりゃくじ)では、東塔、西塔、横川(よかわ)の三つの伽藍(がらん)群に分かれ、入寺ののちは12年間山を出ることが許されなかった。また空海は京都東寺(とうじ)（教王護国寺）に進出し、不空(ふくう)三蔵が開いた伝法灌頂(かんじょう)を行う一方、高野山(こうやさん)（和歌山県）に金剛峯寺(こんごうぶじ)を建てた。ここでは大塔中心に伽藍が形成された。平安中期には天皇の個人的な祈願のための御願寺(ごがんじ)が盛んに設けられた。嵯峨(さが)天皇の仁和寺(にんなじ)や、後三条(ごさんじょう)天皇の円宗寺(えんしゅうじ)などが有名であるが、御願寺には始めから存在したものと、新たに御願を受けて建てられたものとがあった。のちに藤原道長(みちなが)が氏寺(うじでら)として、寝殿造に倣い金堂(こんどう)、薬師(やくし)堂、阿弥陀(あみだ)堂、九重塔と池水を配した法成寺(ほうじょうじ)を建てると、白河(しらかわ)天皇も法勝寺(ほっしょうじ)をつくった。のち、この東山の地には六勝寺が建ち並び、まさに京都は仏都としての壮観を呈した。しかし保元(ほうげん)・平治(へいじ)（1156～1160）の源平の兵乱は仏都を地獄と化し、壮麗な寺々も灰燼(かいじん)に帰してしまった。なお、平安時代の大寺院では、「別当(べっとう)」「座主(ざす)」「長者(ちょうじゃ)」などが寺院を管理し、仏教教学を学ぶ学侶や、堂塔を守る堂衆(どうしゅ)などの組織があった。

　鎌倉時代には源頼朝(よりとも)が平家に焼かれた寺院を復興し、武士・御家人(ごけにん)たちは自らの武運長久を祈るための祈願寺を各地に建てた。そして武士は戦いに出て戦死することも多かったので、死後の菩提(ぼだい)を祈る菩提寺が決められていた。武士はことに禅宗を好み剣禅一致を目ざし、禅堂で坐禅(ざぜん)にいそしんだ。また別に、戦乱のなかで念仏（南無阿弥陀仏(なむあみだぶつ)）を唱えることを民衆に訴えた法然源空(ほうねんげんくう)や親鸞(しんらん)は阿弥陀仏のみを信仰することを求め、日蓮(にちれん)は六字の名号(みょうごう)（南無妙法蓮華経(なむみょうほうれんげきょう)）のみを唱えることを強調したので、これらの寺では弥陀一仏のみを祀り、脇仏を排している。このような祖師仏教を中心とする寺院では、本尊を安置する場よりも、大衆のために行う説教のための会堂を広くとっている。

　江戸時代になると寺院はおもに町の中につくられ、ことに城下町では寺町が設けられた。また往古の寺領は幕府に召し上げられ、そのかわりに知行(ちぎょう)が与えられた。また、本寺（本山）と末寺の関係、すなわち本末制度が幕府によって強化された。さらに幕府のキリシタン禁制により、人々はいずれかの寺院に所属しなければならないとする檀家(だんか)制度も確立した。その後、明治政府の神仏分離政策により、多くの寺院は統廃合された。

［平岡定海］

『平岡定海著『日本寺院史の研究』（1981・吉川弘文館）』

[参照項目] | 仏教建築

アジャンタの石窟寺院
第26窟（チャイティヤ窟）。馬蹄形の平面で、内部は広大で天井も高い。列柱も堂々とし、奥に説法印を結ぶ本尊を浮彫りしたストゥーパが安置される。世界文化遺産「アジャンタ石窟群」の一部（インド・1983年登録）　インド　アジャンタ©Shogakukan">

アジャンタの石窟寺院

エレファンタの石窟寺院（内部）
第1窟。東・北・西の三方に入口をもつ、ヒンドゥー教独自の形式である。奥には「三面のシバ神」が祀られている。世界文化遺産「エレファンタ石窟群」（インド・1987年登録）　インド　エレファンタ島©Shogakukan">

エレファンタの石窟寺院（内部）

エローラの石窟寺院
全石窟中で建築的にもっとも興味深い第16窟の「カイラーサナータ」。岩山から巨大な岩塊を切り離して彫刻的につくりだした単一石の建築。世界文化遺産「エローラ石窟群」（インド・1983年登録）　インド　オーランガーバード©Shogakukan">

エローラの石窟寺院

シュエダゴン・パゴダ

アンコール・トム

慈恩寺