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Rinnô-ji is a Buddhist temple neighboring and associated with the [[Shinto shrine]] [[Nikko Toshogu|Nikkô Tôshôgû]]. It is one of the top three [[Tendai]] sect temples in Japan, alongside [[Kan'ei-ji]] in [[Tokyo]] and [[Enryaku-ji]] in [[Kyoto]].
Rinnô-ji is a Buddhist temple neighboring and associated with the [[Shinto shrine]] [[Nikko Toshogu|Nikkô Tôshôgû]]. It is one of the top three [[Tendai]] sect temples in Japan, alongside [[Kan'ei-ji]] in [[Tokyo]] and [[Enryaku-ji]] in [[Kyoto]].
While the Tôshôgû is built around the mausoleum of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], founder of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], Rinnô-ji contains within its grounds the Taiyûin Mausoleum of his grandson, the third shogun, [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]]. The Mausoleum is designated a [[National Treasure]]. Rinnô-ji is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkô" [[World Heritage Site]], collectively along with Tôshôgû and the nearby [[Futaarasan Shrine]]; the three were historically a single shrine-temple complex, but were divided up by the [[Meiji government]] in [[1871]].<ref name=unesco>"[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/913 Shrines and Temples of Nikko]." UNESCO World Heritage Sites official webpage. UNESCO, 2012.</ref> The temple also houses 38 [[Important Cultural Properties]].
While the Tôshôgû is built around the mausoleum of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], founder of the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], Rinnô-ji contains within its grounds the Taiyûin Mausoleum of his grandson, the third shogun, [[Tokugawa Iemitsu]]. The Mausoleum, completed roughly 14 months after Iemitsu's death in [[1651]],<ref name=rinno>Plaques on-site at Rinnô-ji.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/54287904476/sizes/4k/]</ref> is designated a [[National Treasure]]. Rinnô-ji is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkô" [[World Heritage Site]], collectively along with Tôshôgû and the nearby [[Futaarasan Shrine]]; the three were historically a single shrine-temple complex, but were divided up by the [[Meiji government]] in [[1871]].<ref name=unesco>"[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/913 Shrines and Temples of Nikko]." UNESCO World Heritage Sites official webpage. UNESCO, 2012.</ref> The temple also houses 38 [[Important Cultural Properties]]. The World Heritage Site designation covers 103 structures across 50.8 hectares, including 38 structures at Rinnô-ji, 40 at Tôshôgû, 23 at Futarasan, and two others.<ref name=rinno/>
==History==
==History==
Rinnô-ji originated as a small thatched-roof structure in the mountains, established in [[766]] by the monk [[Shodo Shonin|Shôdô Shônin]], who trekked there from [[Nara]]. As early as a century later, however, the temple had already developed into a larger complex visited by prominent Buddhist priests from [[Kyoto]].
Rinnô-ji originated as a small thatched-roof structure in the mountains, established in [[766]] by the monk [[Shodo Shonin|Shôdô Shônin]] and ten of his disciples, who trekked there from [[Nara]]. It was a combined Buddhist/Shinto site from the beginning, dedicated in particular to the worship of the [[bodhisattva]] [[Kannon]]. As early as a century later, prominent figures such as [[Kukai|Kûkai]] and [[Ennin]] were visiting the temple, expanding the complex with the construction of new buildings, and beginning its transformation into a site of [[Tendai]] Buddhism.
In the [[Kamakura period]], the temple came to be dedicated primarily to [[Amida]] Nyorai, Senju (Thousand-Armed) Kannon, and Batô (Horse-Headed) Kannon and to their worship as incarnations of the [[kami]] of the three mountains in the area, Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohô, and Mt. Tarô. The monks of Nikkô came to play a notable role in performing rituals for the protection of the [[Kamakura shogunate]] and shogun, and one named [[Bengaku]] led a rise in ''[[shugendo|shugendô]]'' mountain asceticism practices.
The temple was significantly expanded and restored by the monk [[Tenkai]], who Tokugawa Ieyasu named head priest of Nikkô-zan in [[1613]], and who oversaw the construction of the Tôshôgû Shrine enshrining Ieyasu as the deity Tôshô Daigongen.
By the [[Muromachi period]], the temple boasted some 500 monks and lands amounting to 180,000 ''[[koku]]''. However, as the temple backed the [[Go-Hojo clan|Go-Hôjô clan]] against [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] in the [[1590]] [[siege of Odawara]], Hideyoshi destroyed the temple.
The temple was restored soon afterward, however, and significantly expanded by the monk [[Tenkai]], who Tokugawa Ieyasu named head priest of Nikkô-zan in [[1613]], and who oversaw the construction of the Tôshôgû Shrine enshrining Ieyasu as the deity Tôshô Daigongen.
By the mid-17th century, Rinnô-ji had been designated a ''[[monzeki]]'' temple, meaning that it came to be headed by members of the imperial family who became abbot of Rinnô-ji, taking on the title "Prince Rinnôji" (''Rinnôji no miya''). They traditionally enjoyed a one-on-one meeting with the shogun on the 1st day of the 2nd month each year.
By the mid-17th century, Rinnô-ji had been designated a ''[[monzeki]]'' temple, meaning that it came to be headed by members of the imperial family who became abbot of Rinnô-ji, taking on the title "Prince Rinnôji" (''Rinnôji no miya''). They traditionally enjoyed a one-on-one meeting with the shogun on the 1st day of the 2nd month each year.
