Sanzenin Temple

JAPAN, Kyoto

Sanzenin Temple belongs to the Tendai school of Japanese Buddhism and is one of the three Enryakuji Monzeki Temples, along with Shorenin Temple and Myohoin Temple. Master Saicho, founder of the Tendai school, started building this temple on Mount Hiei during the rule of Emperor Kammu (reigned 781–806). It was moved to its current location during the Onin War (1467–1477) and named Sanzenin in 1871 during the Meiji period.
The temple consists of the main hall, main temple gate, Golden Acala Hall, Imperial Hall, reception hall, and Avalokitesvara Hall. The four-by-three bay main hall is listed as an Important Cultural Property. It was reconstructed in 986 during the Heian period, by Master Genshin. It has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered with cypress shingles. The Amitabha Buddha Triad is enshrined at the center of the hall and was listed as a National Treasure in 2002.
The temple also houses a statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva sitting in the half lotus position, a standing statue of Acala from the Kamakura period (1185–1333), and a painting of the Osenbo Ceremony, which is listed as an Important Cultural Property. Ancient books, such as the Biography of Master Ennin written in the late Heian period, are also preserved here.