The Looking-back Amida and Eikan

Visitors' Guide

guide to the precincts

In the early hours of February 15, 1082,
in the freezing cold of the morning, the thenchief priest of Eikando, the Abbot
Eikan(1033-1111), while intoning theNembutsu, was walking around a statue ofAmida.
He suddenly came to as the dawn wasbreaking, Amida came down from hispedestal, and began walking away,beckoning to Eikan. Eikan could do nothing
but stare, speachless and unmoving. Then
Amida looked back at Eikan and called tohim in a soft voice. "Eikan! Come with me!"Eikan decided to pass on to others themerciful heart he had received from Amidaand prayed, "Please, keep that form forever!"After that, a statue in this form was made.
This, the Turning-back Amida, the main
icon of present day Eikando.

Shirakawa-st.

What is Amida ?

Higashioji-st.

Kawabata-st.

ＮKawaramachi-st.

In Buddhism, it is thought
to attain the highestthat untold Buddhas exist in the enlightenment, Amida
limitless universe. For example, established 48 vows. Amongin the far west there is the world them, the most important forof the Pure Land Paradise. There our sect is the 18th. This vow is
it is said that the Buddha Amida that, if anyone says the name ofpreaches the teachings. Amida is Amida from the heart, he will be
the Buddha who saves us all. In reborn in the Pure Landthe very distant past, in order
Paradise and become a buddha.

Getting there
Ginkaku-ji

Imadegawa-st.
Kamo River

Marutamachi-st.

Philosopher's
Walk
Heian Shrine

Nanzenji-Eikando-michi

The Headquarters of the Jodo Sect Seizan Zenrin-ji branch

EIKANDO ZENRIN-JI TEMPLE

Eikando-cho 48, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Japan
TEL(075)761-0007 FAX(075)771-4243
https://www.eikando.or.jp/

Higashi-tenno-cho

Nijo-st.

EikandoZenrin-ji
TempleNanzen-ji

Subway Tozai LineSanjo-st.
Shijo-st.

Keage Station

Keihan-Sanjo
StationYasakaShrineMaruyama
Park

Take a #5 bus from JR
Kyoto Station. A 3-minwalk from Nanzen-ji
Eikando-michi bus stop.
Take a #100 bus from
JR Kyoto Station. A
5-min walk from
Higashi-Tenno-cho busstop.
A 15-min walk fromKeage Station on the
Kyoto Tozai Subway line.
Take a #5 bus from
Keihan Sanjo Station. A
3-min walk from
Nanzen-ji Eikando-michi
bus stop.
Take a #204 or #93 busfrom Keihan
Maruta-machi Station. An
8-min walk from
Higashi-Tenno-cho busstop.

The Headquartersof the Jodo Sect
Seizan Zenrinji
BranchEIKANDOZENRIN-JITEMPLE【Garyuro】【Taho-to】

The History of
Eikando Zenrin-ji
In the early Heian period (853 AD), the priest
Shinjo, a disciple of Kobo Daishi Kukai, built a
training hall for the practice of Shingon Buddhism on
the site of present-day Zenrin-ji. Ten years later,Shinjo received permission to establish a temple there
from Emperor Seiwa and the temple got the nameZenrin-ji.
In the latter part of the Heian period, the Abbot
Yokan, commonly known as "Eikan", became thechief priest, and Zenrin-ji expanded greatly. Eikan
intoned the Nembutsu as many as 60,000 times a day,and made great efforts to save poor people. Eikan
received the respect of many people and, at some time
Zenrin-ji came to be called Eikando.
Later, the priest Johen became the Abbot in theKamakura period. He was a follower of the Shingon
Sect. However, he read the main work of priest Honen(1133-1212), the founder of the Jodo Sect and became
deeply convinced in the teaching that merely therecitation of the Nembutsu was enough to gain
salvation. Then, he invited the highest disciple ofHonen, Shoku (1177-1242), to become the next chief
priest.
Shoku, while devoting himself to the strict practiceof the Nembutsu in the same way as Eikan, explained
the importance of reciting the Nembutsu placing all
your trust in Amida with a pure heart. Giving thispractice the name "Shiraki-no Nembutsu" herecommended it to everyone.
In the Muromachi period, the Onin-no-ran occurredand Kyoto became a burning field. Zenrin-ji was noexception. Many years were spent in reconstruction.
Then again, in the Meiji period, there was the Haibutu
Kishaku, an anti-Buddhism movement, and a further
great blow was suffered. At present, Zenrin-ji has
completely recovered from this damage, and the nameis known throughout Japan as the home temple of theJodo Seizan Zenrin-ji sect with Shoku as founder ofthe sect.
Eikando Zenrin-ji, since the distant Heian period,
has passed on the merciful heart of Amida as the main
temple of the reciting the Nembutsu.

【Hiyoke-no-Amida】

A corridor made byjoining the wood
together and runningalong the contours ofthe mountain slope.
Because it resembles
the form of a sleeping
dragon (garyu) , it
was given this name.

A two-story pagoda
with the upper partcircular, and thelower square.
Inside, Shaka
Nyorai and Taho
Nyorai areenshrined. The
layout of Kyoto canbe seen from theTaho-to.

Priest Shinjo, who openedZenrin-ji, enshrined fivestatues of the Buddha. Fourof them were destroyed byfire during the Onin-no-ran.
However, this one statue
was miraculously saved andhas come to be called theFire Protector Amida.

Taho-to（Pagoda） Garyuro

Shaka-do
Vestibule
Reception

Hall where the Looking-back
Amida is enshrined. Moved here
from Osaka in 1607. The
Looking-back Amida may be
prayed to from either side. On theceilings, hundreds of flowers aredepicted.

Amida-do

Sanko-no-matsu
Hiyoke-no-Amida【Amida-do】

HidenbaiKaramon【Sanko-nomatsu】

Hojo PondAn old pine tree
remarkable for its
needles which aresplit into three.
Sanko expresses
knowledge, mercy,and sincerity. If you
have this needle, it issaid that you will
receive the threeblessings.

Gasen-doMain Gate

Viewpointsof the Precincts
Rest room【Shaka-do】
Ten Feet Square/Chiefpriest's quarters. Built inthe Muromachi period,
this building is known as atrue example of
Shoin-zukuri (study-style)architecture. There are six
rooms, each decorated
with gorgeous fusuma
such as the Matsutori-zu
and the Gunsen-zu.

【Karamon】【Hidenbai】

Gate used bymessengers of theemperor when they goin and out. The upper
part of the Karamon isdecorated with
openwork carving in afloral pattern.

Priest Eikan, when the plumtrees of the precincts gave
fruit, took it and gave it tothe sick. Those trees at somepoint came to be called
Hidenbai by the people. TheHi of Hiden means mercy.

Noteworthy points of Eikando
The scenery of the Higashiyama
district and the old architecture of
the buildings are in harmony withthe gardens blessed with waterand greenery. You can stroll atyour leisure in the broad gardens.
The beauty of the autumn colors
is famous all over Japan. You canenjoy the colors of the precincts ofcourse, but also the brilliant colorsof the foliage of the rock cliffs.
Other than the Looking-back
Amida, you can see many otherstatues like the Fire Protector
Amida and Binzuru.
At the Shaka-do, you can see
masterpieces of mural and fusuma
art from the Momoyama period
done by Hasegawa Tohaku and his
disciples who were known for their

original designs and colorings.
You can enjoy the seven wondersof Eikando such as theSanko-no-matsu and the Hidenbai.
［NOTICE］

Bamboo Tiger

Because this is a religious facility, weask that you wear suitable clothing.
Taking pictures or videos of thestatues and paintings is forbidden.