| Arahakasan Shitennō-ji | |
|---|---|
 Chushin garan (中心伽藍) | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Wa-shū |
| Prefecture | Osaka-fu |
| Deity | Kannon (Avalokiteśvara) |
| Location | |
| Location | 1-1-18 Shitennō-ji |
| Municipality | Tennōji-ku, Osaka |
| Country | Japan |
 Interactive map of Arahakasan Shitennō-ji | |
| Prefecture | Osaka-fu |
| Coordinates | 34°39′14.04″N135°30′59.22″E / 34.6539000°N 135.5164500°E /34.6539000; 135.5164500 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Prince Shōtoku |
| General contractor | Kongō Gumi |
| Established | 593 |
| Completed | 1963 (reconstruction) |
| Website | |
| shitennoji | |
Shitennō-ji (Japanese:四天王寺,Temple of theFour Heavenly Kings) is aBuddhist temple inŌsaka, Japan. It is also known asArahaka-ji,Nanba-ji, orMitsu-ji. The temple is sometimes regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan,[1][2] although the temple complex and buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries, with the last reconstruction taking place in 1963. Shortly after World War II, Shitennō-ji became independent of the parentTendai sect and formed the Wa sect (Wa-shū,和宗) of Buddhism.[3]
Prince Shōtoku was known for his profound Buddhist faith whenBuddhism was not widespread in Japan during the 6th century.[4] In order to popularize Buddhism, Prince Shōtoku led a massive national project to promote Buddhism and he commissioned the construction of Shitennō-ji.[4] Prince Shōtoku invited three Korean carpenters fromBaekje.[4] They brought knowledge and led the construction of Shitennō-ji.[4] The commission of Shitennō-ji was part of a massive national project led by Prince Shōtoku.[4]
The temple buildings themselves have been rebuilt a few times over the centuries; most of the present structures are from when the temple was last completely rebuilt in 1963. One of the members involved in the initial construction of the temple in the 6th century later established the firmKongō Gumi, which specialized in temple and shrine buildings.[citation needed]Kongō Gumi was the world'soldest company until it was acquired by theTakamatsu Construction Group in 2004.[5]
"Shitennō" refer to theFour Heavenly Kings in Buddhism. The temple Prince Shōtoku built to honor them had four institutions, each to help the Japanese attain a higher level of civilization. ThisShika-in (四箇院, Four Institutions) was centered on the seven-buildinggaran (伽藍) (the complex inside the walls), and included aKyōden-in (Institution of Religion and Education), aHiden-in (welfare Institution), aRyōbyō-in (hospital), and aSeiyaku-in (pharmacy) to provide essential care to the people of Japan. Three of the four sections are known to have existed inside the temple in Kamakura period[citation needed].
Thegaran consists of a five-story pagoda, a main Golden Pavilion (Kondō) housing an image of the Bodhisattva Kannon, and aKōdō (Lecture Hall) under a covered corridor holding three gates; the Deva Gate (仁王門,Niōmon) (also known as thechūmon (中門)), the Western Gate, and the Eastern Gate. Surrounding this central complex are the Great South Gate (Nandaimon), and a Great East Gate (Higashi-no-ō'mon). To the west is the Great West Gate (Nishi-no-ō'mon), also known asGokuraku-mon (極楽門). Further to the west is a stonetorii, which is imagined to be the Eastern Gate toSukhavati, the Pure Land of the West.
In the Kameido hall is a 7th-century turtle-shaped stonework that was used for state rituals with water.[6] These are 2 turtle-shaped objects in opposite direction.[6] The stone tank and upper turtle's base were carved from single pieces of Tatsuyama stone. These are similar to the carving at the Sakafuneishi ruins which are believed to be a ritual site forEmpress Kōgyoku (594–661) inAsuka, Nara Prefecture.[6] Nowadays they are still used for rituals to commemorate ancestors by floating sheets of wood with their names on the water.[6]
Souvenirs of Shitennō-ji are sold on the 21st of each month.[citation needed]
Geographic data related toShitennō-ji atOpenStreetMap| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
