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Narita-san Shinsho-ji (view source)
Revision as of 09:27, 29 November 2013
, 09:27, 29 November 2013no edit summary
[[File:Naritasan.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The Peace Tower at Narita-san]]
*''Other Names'': 金剛王院 ''(Kongou ou in)''
*''Other Names'': 金剛王院 ''(Kongou ou in)''
*''Japanese'': 成田山新勝寺 ''(Narita-san Shinshou-ji)''
*''Japanese'': 成田山新勝寺 ''(Narita-san Shinshou-ji)''
==Grounds==
==Grounds==
The temple complex occupies an extensive area of land, and contains a considerable number of halls and structures.
Perhaps the most famous and iconic structure associated with the temple is the massive "Peace Tower" (''heiwa daitô'') which stands atop the mountain, high above the remainder of the complex. Built in 1984 on the occasion of the 1150th memorial service (1149th anniversary of the death) for Kôbô Daishi (Kûkai, founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan), it houses a six-meter tall image of Fudô Myôô among a number of other smaller images, [[mandala]], and [[sutra]]s from China, India, and beyond. The bottom floor of the structure contains an exhibition on the history of the temple, and a workshop where monks work to copy sutras; finally, a time capsule containing messages of peace is buried underneath the tower, to be retrieved in 2434, on the occasion of Kûkai's 1600th memorial service.
The temple's main gate, most recently rebuilt in 2008, is about 15 meters tall, and features wooden carvings of the twelve signs of the [[zodiac]] on its ''[[kaerumata]]'' (decorative roof beams). The gate also serves as a storehouse for eight Buddha statues.
The temple's main gate, most recently rebuilt in 2008, is about 15 meters tall, and features wooden carvings of the twelve signs of the [[zodiac]] on its ''[[kaerumata]]'' (decorative roof beams). The gate also serves as a storehouse for eight Buddha statues.
The Kômyô-dô, originally the main hall of the temple, is now a secondary hall, located off in one corner of the grounds. Originally built in [[1701]], it was significantly repaired in [[1768]], then moved in the 1850s behind the Shaka-dô, which at that time became the main hall; when the current main hall was constructed in 1964, the Kômyô-dô was moved again, to its current location. A good example of mid-[[Edo period]] architecture, the ''[[irimoya]]''-roofed building remains largely in its original form, albeit with the outer veranda and flooring of its outer hall removed; the hall, today designated an [[Important Cultural Property]], houses an image of [[Dainichi Nyorai]].
An expanse of sacred woodland extending to the east of the temple's main ''garan'' is organized around a hall known as Senshindô, where monks can engage in ascetic practices and training. The area is also home to two waterfalls, known simply as the "male flying" and "female" waterfalls, and to a Waterfall Fudô (''otaki fudô son'') enshrined at the top of the falls.
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