Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

Jogyo-do is the training hall for Jogyo-sanmai: the Buddhist training in which monks earnestly recite the name “Amidabutsu” over and over without distraction while walking around the principle image for many days.

Faced to the east, Jogyo-do is the large-scale hall of about 9 m on each side.

To the north of Jogyo-do, a narrow building of 18 m long is Gakuya and its overhanging part in the middle is the stage with a Kara-hafu roof: a combination of two different shapes intended to symbolize harmonic beauty.

Ceremonial music and graceful dances are performed on the stage to dedicated Shaka-Sanzon in the opposite auditorium.

The Joroku-Amida-Nyorai-zazo (a seated statue of Amitabha Tathagatae) is enshrined in Ruri-dan (an azure altar) of 3.6 m on each side in the center of the interior.

Jogyo-do, founded during the Genko era (1331-1334), burned down in 1436 (Eikyo 8th yr), and was rebuilt in 1453 (Kyotoku 2nd yr).

The building was remodeled and rebuilt from 1960 (Showa 35th yr) to 1963 (Showa 38th yr).

a National Important Cultural Property

Joroku-Amida-Nyorai-zazo / 丈六阿弥陀如来坐像

Originally the principle Buddhist image of Ojo-in Temple which was once in the precincts of Engyoji Temple, Joroku-Amida-Nyorai-zazo (a seated statue of Amitabha Tathagatae) made by Anchin (one of the disciples of Priest Shoku) in 1005 (Kanko 2nd yr).

During the Meiji era (1868-1912), this statue was transferred to Dai-ko-do.

The principle Buddha image, also called Hokan-Amida-Nyorai (Amida with a crown), was once worshiped with four other statues: Ho, Ri, In and Go.

Along with Kanna Shonin, Anchin (another disciple of Priest Shoku), was a highly qualified sculptor.

Anchin made many other masterpieces such as the statue of Shoku Shonin (destroyed by fire in the Kamakura period, 1185-1333, Roppi-Nyoirin-Kanzeon-Bosatsu-zo in Mani-den, Godai-Myoo-zo (statues of the Five Great Vidyarajas) and Miroku-Sanzon-zo (a statue of the Future Buddha flanked by two attendants) in Miroku Temple.

a National Important Cultural Property