Manpuku-ji

Manpuku-ji
萬福寺
Manpuku-ji; 萬福寺
	Main Hall
Religion
Affiliation	Ōbaku
Deity	Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni)
Status	Head Temple
Location
Location	34 Sanban-wari, Goka-shō, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
Country	Japan
Geographic coordinates	34°54′51.32″N 135°48′21.83″E / 34.9142556°N 135.8060639°ECoordinates: 34°54′51.32″N 135°48′21.83″E / 34.9142556°N 135.8060639°E
Architecture
Founder	Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen), Muyan
Completed	1661
Website
	http://www.obakusan.or.jp/

Ōbaku-san Manpuku-ji (黄檗山萬福寺, Manpuku Temple on Mt. Ōbaku) is a temple located in Uji, Kyoto. It is the head temple of the Japanese Ōbaku Zen sect, named after Wanfu Temple in Fujian, China. The mountain is likewise named after Mount Huangbo, where the Chinese temple is situated.

History[]

The temple was founded in 1661 by the Chinese monk Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen) and his disciple Muyan.

In 1664, control of the temple passed to Muyan, after many Chinese monks followed as head priests. Only the fourteenth priest and his successors are Japanese.

On May 21, 1673 (Enpō 1, 5th day of the 4th month) Yinyuan (Ingen) dies here.^[1]

The art of Senchadō is closely tied to the temple due to its founder.

Architecture[]

The temple structures were constructed in Ming China's architectural style.^[2]

The arrangement of buildings also follows Ming Dynasty architectural style, representing an image of a dragon.

Gyoban (fish board)

The temple features an exemplary gyoban (fish board, used to toll the hours).

Art[]

The temple treasure house contains a complete collection of Buddhist scriptures completed in 1678 and comprising approximately 60,000 printing blocks, which are still in use. The production of the printing blocks was funded by donations collected throughout the country for many years.

The temple's main statue is a seated Gautama Buddha.

Sculptures by the Chinese sculptor known as Han Do-sei and latticed balustrades can also be seen.

Gallery[]

Balustrades, in manji-kuzushi (卍崩し, simplified swastika) style
Gate
Altar to Kansei Teikun
Statue of Hotei

Notes[]

^ Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, p. 414.
^ Yanagida, Seizan (2009). "Historical Introduction to The Record of Linji". The Record of Linji. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 115. ISBN 9780824833190.

References[]

Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 251800045; see also Imprimerie Royale de France, OCLC 311322353