Japan’s Foremost Sacred Site of the Three Great Manjushri Pilgrimages — A Dedication to “Amanohashidate Chionji Temple”
Manjushri Bodhisattva, widely known through the saying, “When three people gather, one of them will have the wisdom of Manjushri.”
We are honored to announce that we have been given the opportunity to dedicate a Sirius A ring by KINJITO at **“Tenkyozan Chionji Temple,”** located on Amanohashidate, renowned as one of Japan’s Three Great Scenic Views and home to the foremost sacred site among Japan’s Three Great Manjushri Pilgrimages.
Chionji Temple has an extremely ancient origin, said to date back to the age of the gods. The year 904, when Emperor Daigo bestowed upon it the name “Tenkyozan Chionji,” is considered the year of its founding.
Revered throughout Japan, Manjushri Bodhisattva embodies both wisdom and compassion. This truly sacred Buddha dispels worldly desires and guides people onto the right path.
Enshrining Manjushri Bodhisattva as its principal image, Chionji Temple has been venerated since ancient times as the foremost sacred site among Japan’s Three Great Manjushri Pilgrimages. To this day, it preserves a wealth of legends and a profound history.
The Legend of Manjushri Bodhisattva and the Dragon Deity of Amanohashidate
This is a particularly fascinating aspect of KINJITO’s dedication at Chionji Temple.
The temple’s Kuzeto Engi (The Origin Story of Kuzeto) preserves a mysterious tale involving Manjushri Bodhisattva and a dragon deity.
It is said that, in the age of the gods, a fierce dragon deity lived near Amanohashidate, making it impossible for people to live in peace.
So the gods invited Manjushri Bodhisattva from Mount Wutai in China.
For a thousand years, Manjushri Bodhisattva is said to have preached to the dragon deity, reforming the evil dragon through wisdom and compassion and transforming it into a benevolent dragon that protected the people.
Another legend tells that the dragon deity piled up earth in a single night, forming Amanohashidate.
This is not an event verified as historical fact, but a venerable legend passed down at Chionji Temple.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to make this dedication in the Manjushri Hall of the historic Chionji Temple, to everyone who helped bring about this precious connection, and to Manjushri Bodhisattva.
In addition to the cats that can be seen on the temple grounds, there are symbolic elements throughout that evoke a connection with Sirius, which KINJITO holds dear. Many mysteries and wonders still linger here.
At this place where history, faith, and mystery intersect, the prayers and sentiments of generations have been passed down through the ages.
Why not visit Amanohashidate Chionji Temple and experience its timeless history and mysteries for yourself?
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Tenkyozan Chionji Temple
466 Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture 626-0001
HP https://www.monjudo-chionji.jp
※The photograph of the seated statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva was taken using materials from Chionji Temple and Amanohashidate.