The oldest and largest example of a zen temple complex established by Regent Kujo Michiie
"Kyoto Gozan" Tofuku-ji Temple
Tofuku-ji Temple is a famous Zen temple, and is one of the five "Kyoto Gozan" temples.
It was established in the Kamakura Period by a great statesman, Kujo Michiie.
The name “Tofuku-ji” was taken from the two major temples in Nara, Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple.
In the Butsuden (Buddha hall), there is a 15-meter tall standing Buddha statue, erected to indicate that the temple was Kyoto's "new Buddhist temple".
日本で最初に国師と称された禅僧
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Shoichi Kokushi -
一時坐禅すれば、一時の仏なり
『聖一国師語録』より
一日坐禅すれば、一日の仏なり
一生坐禅すれば、一生の仏なり
The Founder, Shoichi Kokushi
The priest who started the temple was Ennibenen (1202-1280), and was given the title of "Shoichi Kokushi".
He was the first priest to receive the title of "Kokushi (national priest)" from an emperor of Japan.
This temple has maintained its Zen architecture since the Middle Ages, and as the main Rinzai sect temple, can boast a magnificent Doto Garan complex, the only one of its kind in Kyoto.
Since its establishment years ago, it has served as a Zen temple that provides visitors with the opportunity to see the essence of Zen.
This is most visible through the wealth of medieval Zen artifacts seen throughout the premises.
Precinct
Information
The famous vista of breathtaking and vividly colored autumn leaves as viewed from Tsuten-kyo Bridge, the large temple complex that spans the valley traversed by the Sannohashi River, and the oldest and largest example of zen architecture from the medieval period
