Many people visit temples during the sightseeing seasons, and the first thing catches their eyes is the front gate often referred to as SANMON in Buddhism terms. Beyond the SAMNON, it's the world where Buddha resides. For instance, it's the border between the pure land and the everyday life of human beings.
The SANMON of Myoshinji Temple is a construction of MOMOYAMA era, and designated as an important cultural properties of Japan, having the height of 16 meters with beautiful vermillion-lacquer finishing.
In temple's enormously broad premises, three constructions namely SANMON, HONDO (Main hall), and HATTO (multipurpose hall) are aligned on a straight line. What an orderly beauty, and what a profound world of Buddha. I, a small existence looking up this magnificent gate, felt as if I was lured into it. I have heard that the doctrine and discipline of ZEN school is extremely strict. I wonder how many ZEN monks looked up this gate.
Myoshinji Temple URL:
Access:
3 min. on foot from Myoshinji Mae of Kyoto city bus and Kyoto bus
7 min. on foot from Hanazono station, JR Saga line.
Map: