Jindaiji Temple
History of Jindaiji Temple
Jindaiji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in the suburbs of Tokyo, surrounded by a rich protective grove and blessed withspring water. People can enjoy the beauty of the area throughout the seasons: fresh greenery and cherry blossoms in spring,
fireflies in summer, autumn leaves, and the Soba (traditional buckwheat noodles) Festival in winter.
The name “Jindaiji” derives from the name of the god of water “Jinja Daioh” (Great King of Jinja) who is the basis of thecharacter “Sha Wujing” in the classical Chinese novel “Journey to the West”. It is said that the temple was erected by the monk
Mankhoo Shonin in 733.
There is a legend about the origin of the temple. A boy named Fukuman fell in love with a girl from a powerful family. The girl’sparents opposed the relationship and sent her away to live on a small island on a lake. At a loss, Fukuman prayed to Jinja Daioh.
A mysterious turtle then appeared and took him to the island. Seeing that the boy had divine protection, the parents relented andgave Fukuman their daughter’s hand in marriage. Their child, Mankhoo Shonin, became a monk and founded Jindaiji Temple inorder to fulfill his father’s wish to enshrine Jinja Daioh. Thanks to this romantic love story which is recorded in “Jindaiji Engi”(Documents on the History of Jindaiji Temple), Jindaiji Temple is now well-known for its matchmaking powers.

The Main Gate
As most Japanese temples were built in the mountains, the main gate of a Buddhist temple
is called the “Sanmon”, literally “mountain gate”. The Main Gate at Jindaiji Temple has
stood for over 300 years since it was built in 1695. It is the oldest surviving structure in thetemple, as all other buildings burned down in 1865.

The Bell Tower
The main function of a bell tower is to tell people the time. The current bell was cast andinstalled in 2001 to replace the previous one which had become too old. This previous bell
was cast in 1376 in the late Kamakura period. It is the third oldest surviving bell in theTokyo area and the oldest to have been used continuously since installation. The
government has consequently designated it Important Cultural Property. The bell is now
stored in the “Shaka Hall” (Hall of the Buddha), located to the left beyond the Main Gate.

The Main HallJindaiji Temple was erected in 733 and is the second oldest temple in Tokyo after Sensoji
Temple in Asakusa. Its Main Hall was rebuilt in 1919 after the preceding building wasalmost completely destroyed by fire in 1646 and 1865. The Hall enshrines the statue ofAmida Nyorai (Buddha).

The Ganzandaishi Hall
The statue of “Ganzandaishi” (Grand-master Ganzan), or “Jikeidaishi”, has been enshrinedin the Ganzandaishi Hall since 991, and is very rarely on display. Ganzandaishi was a monkin the Heian period (794-1185) and is famous for becoming the 18th Tendaizasu (the toprank of Tendai Buddhism). His real name was Ryogen, but as he passed away on January
3rd he became known as Gan (January) -Zan (three) -Daishi (Grand-master).
Ganzandaishi is said to be the incarnation of Nyoirinkannon Buddha and since theKamakura-Muromachi period (1192-1573) worshippers have accredited him with thedivine power to dispel bad luck. He is also said to have created “Omikuji” (fortune-telling slips) which are now often
seen at temples and shrines all over Japan.

The Statue of Hakuhoh Buddha
The Hakuhoh Buddha is a Shaka Nyorai Izo (seated Buddha) from the Hakuhoh period in the late
Asuka period (592-710). It was discovered in 1909 under the stage in Ganzandaishi Hall. The
government designated the statue a National Treasure but how it came to Jindaiji Temple is unknown.
It is a large, gilded bronze statue with a height of 83.9cm and a seated height of 59.3cm, the oldest of
its kind in eastern Japan. Although its golden surface has peeled off almost completely due to fire,the characteristic artistic influence of continental realism typical of the Hakuhoh period is evident in
the childlike face, the line joining the eyebrows and the nose, the parallel pleats of the clothing andthe plump body. The statue is enshrined in the Shaka Hall.

Jindaiji Temple and Soba (buckwheat noodles)
The quality of water and buckwheat flour are said to determine the taste of soba, which are a popular food in Japan. The
area around Jindaiji Temple was rich in spring water and so suited to growing soba. During the Edo Period, peasantsoffered soba flour instead of rice to the temple. The temple in turn made soba noodles to entertain guests.

Annual Events at Jindaiji Temple
January 1st-7th: New Year prayers
February 3rd: Setsubun/Mamemaki: Scatter beans for good luck on the last day of winter.
March 3rd-4th: Yakuyoke-Ganzandaishi Taisai: Commemorate the 10th Century monk YakuyokeGanzandaishi and purchase Dharma dolls.

purchase Dharma dolls

thAround April 8 : Kanbutsue (Hanamatsuri): The birthday of Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
Late April: Nanjamonja Concert: The Tokyo Fire Department Band performs under a blooming
White Fringetree.
Late July: Hohzuki Festival: A common summer event with stalls selling Hohzuki (Chinese lanternplants) or wind chimes.
Mid-October: Soba Festival: A ceremony in front of the Main Hall to make soba noodles to
dedicate to the temple.

Nanjamonja Concert

Mid-October: Jindaiji Jusanya: Celebrate the beautiful fall moon. The monks chant hymns in front of the Sanmon.
Mid-October: Jinjadaiohsai/Daihannyatendokue: The monks ceremonially read at high speed 600 volumes of the Sutraof Great Wisdom at the Hall of Jinja Daioh.
December 31st: Joya no Kane: The bell is tolled 108 times on New Year’s eve.

Access

via Keio Line

From Chofu Station take bus No.34 (showing “調 34”) bound for Jindaiji and alight at Jindaiji
bus stop.

From Tsutsujigaoka Station take bus No.21 (showing “丘 21”) bound for Jindaiji and alightat Jindaiji bus stop.

via JR Chuo/Sobu Line

From Kichijoji Station take bus No.04 (showing “吉 04”) bound for Jindaiji and alight at
Jindaiji bus stop.

From Mitaka Station take bus No.65 (showing “鷹 65”) bound for Jindaiji and alight at
Jindaiji bus stop.

JR Chuo Line

Mitaka St.

Kichijoji

South Exit

South ExitSt.

JR Yamanote Line
Jindaiji
TempleKeio Line
Chofu St.
North Exit

Keio Inokashira Line

Tsutsujigaoka St. MeidaimaeNorth Exit

Shinjuku

Shibuya

For more information about Jindaiji Temple please visit the following “Guidoor” website
created by Mobile Smart Town Promotion Foundation:
https://www.guidoor.jp/en/place/chofu/jindaiji-temple/
This brochure was made with the supervision of Lingua House Institute for Education(http://lingua-house.jp/; Tel&Fax:042-369-5590).

Tendai Buddhism

Special Headquarters

Fugakusan-Shorakuin〒182-0017

Jindaiji Temple

5-15-1 Jindaijimotomachi, Chofu-City, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 042-486-5511, Fax: 042-483-6969

Tokyo

③Goshuin of Ganzan Daishi

What is “goshuin”?

The statue of “Ganzan Daishi” (Grand-master Ganzan) is
enshrined in Ganzandaishi Hall and is very rarely on display.

Goshuin is proof of visiting temple or shrine which consists of red ink stamps and black calligraphy
characters. There are three unique versions of goshuin at Jindaiji Temple, and all three goshuin havedifferent names of main statues enshrined at each halls of Jindaiji temple.
If you have goshuin-chou (special stamp book for goshuin), we would write some of them on it.

Since the Kamakura-Muromachi period (1192-1573), worshippers
have accredited him with the divine power to dispel bad luck.
He is also said to have created “Omikuji” (fortune-telling slips)
which are now often seen at temples and shrines all over Japan.

①Goshuin of Amida Nyorai(Muryoju)
Muryoju is the name of Amida Nyorai (Buddha), who endlessly relives
all creatures from sorrow and suffering.

Muryoju enshrined in the Main Hall is dating from Kamakura
Period (1185-1333) and worshiped by many devotees.

The Ganzan Daishi Hall

The meaning of each part
奉拝 (houhai), whichmeans to worship.
The name of statue.

The Main Hall

②Goshuin of Hakuhoh Buddha“Jindaiji temple”

Year and dates.

Hakuhoh Buddha is a bronze statue of Shaka Buddha fromthe Hakuhoh period (7th century). This is the oldest National
Treasure statue of Buddha in eastern Japan. The artistic influence*During the crowded seasons, it takes long period of time to receiveof continental realism which is typical of the Hakuhoh period is stillevident.

a goshuin. In a normal season, it takes 10-15 minutes.
*Depending on the writer, calligraphy characters differ a slightly.
*Almost none of us at the temple speak English.

We appreciate your understanding.
Goshuin-chou

The Shaka HallGoshuin ¥ 500 each
Original goshuin-chou of Jindaiji temple ¥ 1500
(stamp book for goshuin)* If you forgot your goshuin-chou(stamp book for goshuin), we provide individual goshuin paper .