Ryōsen-ji (Nara)


Ryōsen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan. Founded in the eighth century, the Hondō is a National Treasure and a number of other buildings and temple treasures have been designated Important Cultural Properties.

History

In the late seventh century Ono no Tobito erected a set of public baths on Mount Tomi outside Nara and enshrined an image of Yakushi. In 734 Emperor Shōmu instructed Gyōki to erect a hall on the site, and two years later the Indian monk Bodhisena, noticing a resemblance to the Vulture Peak, founded the Ryōsen-ji. The Hondō was rebuilt in 1283. Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted the temple lands valued at a hundred koku. In the Meiji period many of the monk's quarters were abandoned and over two hundred images were burned. Restored in 1940, the temple has been revived.

Buildings

Jūrokusho Jinja is now an independent shrine, but before the Meiji period served Ryōsen-ji in a tutelary capacity. The Honden and subordinate Sumiyoshi Jinja Honden and Ryūō Jinja Honden have been designated Important Cultural Properties.