Myōshin-ji Temple
妙心寺 · 우쿄구
Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Myōshin-ji Temple3:17
Welcome to Myōshin-ji, the 'Temple of the Enlightened Mind.' As you stand at the threshold of this vast complex in northwest Kyoto, you are entering more than just a religious site; you are stepping into a city within a city, a…
Listen in the app2The Chokushimon — The Imperial Envoy Gate2:58
We begin our formal progression at the Chokushimon, or the Gate for the Imperial Envoy. Constructed in sixteen ten, this structure serves as the ceremonial anchor of the temple's central north-south axis. …
Listen in the app3The Sanmon Gate — The Gateway of the Three Liberations2:41
Approaching the Sanmon, the vibrant vermilion color immediately strikes the eye, contrasting sharply with the somber tones of the surrounding sub-temples. Built in fifteen ninety-nine, this is the 'Gate of Three.' In Zen…
Listen in the app4The Butsuden — The Hall of the Buddha2:38
Continuing north, we arrive at the Butsuden, or the Buddha Hall. Completed in eighteen twenty-seven, this is the spiritual heart of the complex where the principal image of worship is enshrined. …
Listen in the app5The Hatto and the Dragon Ceiling — The Roar of Reality2:51
We now enter the Hatto, or the Lecture Hall, built in sixteen fifty-seven. This is perhaps the most famous building in the Myōshin-ji complex, not for what is on the floor, but for what resides on the ceiling. …
Listen in the app6The Kuri — The Zen Kitchen and the Small Dragon2:25
Adjacent to the main halls is the Kuri, the large temple kitchen. In a Zen monastery, cooking and eating are considered as much an aesthetic and spiritual practice as meditation in the Hatto. …
Listen in the app7The Akechi-buro — The Steam Bath of Purification2:26
A short walk from the kitchen brings us to a unique historical structure: the Akechi-buro, a traditional steam bath. This building was donated by the uncle of Akechi Mitsuhide, the famous and controversial samurai general who…
Listen in the app8Taizō-in and the Hyonen-zu — The Catfish and the Gourd2:26
We now step away from the central axis to visit Taizō-in, one of the most significant sub-temples (tatsu) within Myōshin-ji, established in fourteen hundred and four. Taizō-in is famous for its association with the legendary…
Listen in the app9The Gardens of Taizō-in — Motonobu and the Suikinkutsu2:32
Exiting the hall of the catfish riddle, you enter the gardens of Taizō-in, which offer a multi-sensory exploration of Zen aesthetics. First, you will encounter the 'Motonobu-no-niwa,' a dry landscape (karesansui) garden designed…
Listen in the app10Closing2:18
Our journey through Myōshin-ji concludes back near the center of this vast spiritual city. We have walked the straight line of the 'garan' layout, from the Imperial Envoy Gate to the dragon's roar in the Hatto, and wandered…
Listen in the app
What is Myōshin-ji Temple?
Myōshin-ji Temple is a place in 우쿄구 with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 우쿄구 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Total length | 26 min 32 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0232, 135.7202 |
| Last updated |
