Fo Guang Shan Motosuji Temple

JAPAN, Yamanashi, Minamikoma

The temple is situated on the shore of Lake Motosu near the foot of Mount Fuji. It was originally a 40-year-old motor-boat training center and it became a branch temple of Fo Guang Shan in 2002.
The temple occupies almost 5 ha, of which over 1.3 ha are taken up by buildings. The principal structures are the Avatamsaka Hall, sutra calligraphy hall, meditation hall, and a main building. Designed by Master Hsing Yun, the Avatamsaka Hall is made of steel and concrete and it has a square pyramidal roof. The hall is 13 m high and is 34 m long on each side. It can hold up to 1,000 people. Eight beams decorated with images of heavenly beings support the interior and at the center there is a mandala-style pagoda with Buddha statues on all four sides.
The pagoda consists of three levels with a total of 36 Buddha statues: there is a single Sakyamuni Buddha on the top level, a Buddha Triad on the middle level, and the Five Dhyani Buddhas on the bottom level. Behind the statues there are Buddha reliefs. The Avatamsaka Sutra is inscribed in gold on the walls of the hall. The ceiling is decorated with lotus flowers and the beams are painted with heavenly beings playing musical instruments or dancing. The overall atmosphere is that of the Buddha’s Pure Land. A meditation hall is also located behind the Avatamsaka Hall.