Zenrinji Temple

Located in Eikando-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, this is the head temple of the Seizan Zenrin-ji school of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. It is called Shojuraigousan Muryojuin and is commonly known as Eikando. It was founded in 855 (Saiko 2) by Kukai's disciple Shinjo, and in 863 (Jogan 5) it was given the imperial seal of Zenrin-ji. Since then, it has transmitted the true teachings of esoteric Buddhism, and when the seventh abbot, Yokan (Eikan) of the Sanron sect, lived there and established Tonan-in temple to preach Pure Land Nembutsu, it became a training center for Nembutsu. There are many legends related to Eikan at this temple. It is said that when he was chanting the Nembutsu, Amida would lead the way and look back, so the principal image is called "Looking Back Amida Nyorai" (Amida Buddha with a Look Back). It is also said that when he entered into the samadhi of chanting the Nembutsu, the holy people would come to welcome him like stars, with a brilliant light, so the temple was named after the holy people. The name Eikando also comes from Eikan's name. Later, Seihen, who had a deep faith in Honen (Genku), lived there as the 12th abbot, and was succeeded by Soshoku of the Seizan school. The temple was completely converted to the Jodo sect, and the temple flourished greatly. Minamoto no Yoritomo admired Seihen's virtue and became a follower of the temple, having him recite the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, and this ritual has been passed down to the present day. However, due to wars such as the Onin War, the temple fell into decline for a time, but thanks to the efforts of the 34th abbot Kozen and the 37th abbot Kakū, it began to recover, and with the protection of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the temple buildings were gradually restored. The temple's treasures include a colored silk painting of Amida Crossing the Mountains (Kamakura period) and a gilt bronze lotus-patterned chime (late Heian period), both of which are national treasures. There are also many other art relics related to Pure Land Buddhism. Known as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, the "Iwagaki Maple Tree" is also mentioned in the "Kokinshu."

[Shoji Mori]

"Ancient Temple Pilgrimage: Kyoto 23 Zenrinji Temple" (1978, Tankosha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

京都市左京区永観堂(えいかんどう)町にある浄土宗西山(せいざん)禅林寺派総本山。聖衆来迎山無量寿院(しょうじゅらいごうさんむりょうじゅいん)と号し、俗に永観堂とよばれる。空海の弟子真紹(しんじょう)によって855年（斉衡2）に創建され、863年（貞観5）禅林寺の勅額を賜った。以来、密教の正法を伝えたが、第7世として三論宗の永観(ようかん／えいかん)が住し、東南院を構えて浄土念仏を唱導するに及び念仏の道場となった。当寺にはこの永観にちなむ伝承が多く、念仏行道のとき弥陀(みだ)が先に立って後ろを振り返ったというので本尊を「見返り阿弥陀如来(あみだにょらい)」といい、また念仏三昧(ざんまい)に入ると光明赫然(かくぜん)として星のごとく聖衆が来迎したので、聖衆来迎を山号としたなどと伝える。また永観堂の称も永観の名に発する。その後、法然(ほうねん)（源空）に深く帰依(きえ)する静遍(じょうへん)が第12世として住し、西山派祖証空(しょうくう)がこれを継いで、当寺はまったく浄土宗に改宗され、寺門は大いに興隆した。源頼朝(よりとも)は静遍の高徳を慕い、当寺に帰依(きえ)して『大般若経(だいはんにゃきょう)』を転読させたので、この法会(ほうえ)が今日に伝わる。しかし応仁(おうにん)の乱などの戦乱もあってしばらくの間衰微したが、34世宏善(こうぜん)、37世果空(かくう)らの努力によって回復に向かい、豊臣(とよとみ)秀吉、徳川家康などの加護もあって漸次堂塔伽藍(がらん)も再興された。寺宝の絹本着色山越(やまごし)阿弥陀図（鎌倉時代）と金銅蓮花文磬(れんげもんけい)（平安後期）は国宝。そのほか浄土教系の美術遺品が多い。紅葉(もみじ)の名所として知られ、「いわがき楓(かえで)」は『古今集』にも詠み込まれている。

［森　章司］

『『古寺巡礼　京都23　禅林寺』（1978・淡交社）』

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