Sekizan Zen-in, Kyoto京都赤山禅院（泰山府君）

Type: Overseas Daoist Temples
Location: Japan · Kyoto Prefecture · Sakyo Ward, Kyoto · 18 Kaikonbo-cho, Shugakuin; a sub-temple of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei
Coordinates: 35.0559, 135.8013 Map ↗
First built: 888 (Ninna 4) · Founded by Anne, the Tendai zasu, in fulfillment of Ennin's dying wish; a Tendai-sect temple that is dedicated primarily to a Daoist deity

Overview

Sekizan Zen-in was founded in 888 by Anne, the Tendai zasu (head abbot of Tendai), and is dedicated primarily to Taishan Fujun (known in Japan as Sekizan Daimyojin) — the Daoist ruler of the underworld, deity who governs fate and emolument. Its origin lies in the protection Ennin received from this deity at the Fahua Yuan on Mount Chi (Sekizan) in Dengzhou while seeking the Buddhist teaching in Tang China; on his return he left instructions to venerate the Sekizan deity, which his disciple Anne fulfilled by founding the temple. On this basis the Tendai sect developed the "Taishan Fujun Festival" (Taizan Fukun no Sai), later adopted by onmyoji such as Abe no Seimei, and it became the core of the life-extension ritual of Japanese Onmyodo — a key case of a Daoist deity entering the state religious system of Japan through Buddhist mediation. The temple stands in the "Omote-kimon" (outer demon gate) direction, northeast of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the roof of its worship hall bears an image of a divine monkey, echoing the monkey statue at the Palace's Saru-ga-tsuji (Monkey Corner) to seal off the demon gate. It is a pilgrimage site (fudasho) of the Miyako Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods of the Capital) for Fukurokuju, and is well known for its autumn foliage and the "Loofah Blessing" rite. It should be made clear that this is a Tendai-sect Buddhist temple enshrining a Daoist deity, an instance of Buddhist-Daoist syncretism, not a Daoist religious order.

Highlights

Dedicated primarily to Taishan Fujun
Its origin lies with Ennin and the Fahua Yuan on Mount Chi, Dengzhou
The Taishan Fujun Festival and Onmyodo
Guards the Omote-kimon (outer demon gate) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace

References