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Mt Hiei Mt. Hiei, a World Heritage Site.
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| Ascent and Descent | Temple to temple on foot | Guide to Mt. Hiei, in English | |
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(The English language pamphlet is copied below.) The Enryakuji Temple was founded by priest Saicho in 806. He had studied Buddhism in China, not only the esoteric Buddhism but also other thoughts. Many famous priests studied here including Genshin, Honen, Eisai, Shinran, Dogen, and Nichiren, who went off to develope their own form of Buddhism. Thus, Mt. Hiei is known to be the mother of Japanses Buddhism. One of Saicho's teachings was "Ichigu wo terasu is a national treasure." Ichigo wo terasu means to do one's best in whaterver place and whatever situation one finds onesefl. In so doing, Saicho believed, a joyful world can be created in which all live in happiness and fulfillment. The sacred mountain and its remote Yokawa precinct are mentioned in the Uji chapters of The Tale of Genji. On the 49th day after Yugao's death, Genji sponsors a reading of the Lotus Sutra for her at the Hokke-do in the Saito, or west precinct. | |||
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_22nov08-b_1003.jpg It takes a ride in a cable car and a ropeway to get to the top.  |
_22nov08-b_1005b.jpg Mt. Hiei is very steep. A cablecar followed by a ropeway are required to get to the top of Mt. Hiei where Enryakuji Temple complex sits.  |
_22nov08-b_1017.jpg Taking a cablecar to the top of Mt. Hiei.  |
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_22nov08-b_1643.jpg Time to return to the real world.  |
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_22nov08-b_1646.jpg This is a deciduous cedar!  |
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_22nov13-h_4.jpg A beautiful day for an outing. We were lucky with amazing foliage.  |
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_22nov08-b_1127.jpg Along the way, are panels explaining history and the teachings of Buddhism.  |
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_22nov08-b_1136.jpg Genshin - founded the base for Jodoshu (Pure Land Buddhism)  |
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_22nov08-b_1224.jpg Shinran - Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land Shin Buddhism)  |
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_22nov08-b_1225a.jpg Dogen - Sotoshu (Zen Buddhism)  |
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_22nov08-b_1250.jpg Saicho returned from China and established Tendaishu.  |
_22nov08-b_1251.jpg Relationship with Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi), who also studied Esoteric Buddhism in China and founded Shingonshu in Koyasan.  |
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_22nov08-b_1315.jpg Lunch overlooking Lake Biwa  |
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_22nov08-b_1353.jpg The Main Hall was under construction having the roof replaced.  |
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_22nov07-1142_nn0.jpg Shaka-do (Buddha Hall)  |
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_22nov08-b_1444.jpg On the various approaches are many paintings by acolytes telling stories from the lives of the many famous priests who studied here over centuries. I took snapshots only a few. The "gift shop" was tiny and contained few books, essentially none in English. I regretted there was no collection of these paintings along with English translation. It seems evident this is not a magnet for western visitors.  |
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_22nov08-b_1532.jpg This succession of painting depict the life of Buddha.  |
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_22nov08-b_1557.jpg Setsuko, 92 years old, is getting a little tired towards the end. It was amazing that she was ablt to walk up and down the stairs and hilly paths all day.  |
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