Myōeiji Temple Complete Guide: A Thorough Explanation of the Charm and Characteristics of a Historic Nichiren Sect Temple
Myōeiji Temple is a group of Nichiren sect temples located throughout Japan. Each has its own unique history and characteristics, and has played an important role as a center of local faith. This article provides a detailed explanation of the Myōeiji Temples, particularly those in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, covering their history, grounds, cemetery and perpetual memorial service information, and access methods.
Table of Contents
- What is Myōeiji Temple?: An Overview of Nichiren Sect Temples
- Myōeiji Temple in Fuji City (Shōrinzan Myōeiji)
- Myōeiji Temple in Kumamoto City (Jufukuzan Myōeiji)
- Myōeiji Temple in Tokushima City
- The Relationship Between Nichiren Sect and Myōeiji Temples
- Access Information for Each Myōeiji Temple
What is Myōeiji Temple?: An Overview of Nichiren Sect Temples
Myōeiji Temple belongs to the Nichiren sect, and there are several temples with the same name throughout Japan. Nichiren Buddhism is a Buddhist sect founded by Nichiren Shonin during the Kamakura period, and its fundamental scripture is the Lotus Sutra. The temple name Myōei-ji means “a temple where the teachings of the Lotus Sutra continue forever,” a fitting name for a Nichiren Buddhist temple.
While each Myōei-ji temple is independent, they share a common faith foundation in Nichiren Buddhism and have functioned as spiritual centers for local people. Although their historical backgrounds and founding circumstances differ, they all continue to uphold the teachings of Nichiren Shonin as sacred sites, preserving the Dharma to this day.
Myōei-ji Temple in Fuji City (Shōrinzan Myōei-ji)
History and Origin
Shōrinzan Myōei-ji, located in Asama-kami-cho, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is a historic temple known as one of the three Myōei-ji temples of Suruga Province. Its founding dates back to the Kamakura period, and it has a deep connection with Renge Ajari Nichiji Shonin, a direct disciple of Nichiren Shonin.
On New Year’s Day of the third year of Einin (1295), after completing the thirteenth anniversary memorial service for his teacher, Nichiren Shonin, Nichiji Shonin resolved to spread the teachings overseas. Known as the pioneer of overseas missionary work, Nichiji Shonin departed from Matsuno Village (present-day Fujikawa-cho, Fuji City) and embarked on a journey to preach abroad. Along the way, he stopped at the site of the present-day Myoei-ji Temple, staying for three days and delivering sermons.
To commemorate this sacred site, the Hokke Daimoku-do (Hall for the Lotus Sutra) was built, marking the beginning of Myoei-ji Temple. Since then, this area has developed as an important base for Nichiren Buddhism and continues to function as a center of faith in the region to this day.
Positioning as one of the Three Suruga Eiji Temples
Myoei-ji Temple, along with Ren’ei-ji Temple in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, and Eisei-ji Temple in Fuji City, is known as one of the “Three Suruga Eiji Temples.” These three temples have historically had deep ties as important Nichiren Buddhist temples in Suruga Province (present-day central Shizuoka Prefecture). The former head temple was Ren’ei-ji Temple, and it belongs to the Shinshi lineage.
Features of the Temple Grounds
Myōei-ji Temple in Fuji City is located in a scenic spot overlooking Mount Fuji. The temple grounds contain the main hall and other buildings, allowing visitors to worship in a tranquil atmosphere. As befits a Nichiren Buddhist temple, the chanting of the mantra “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” resonates, creating a space filled with faith.
About the Cemetery and Perpetual Memorial Services
Myōei-ji Cemetery is a popular cemetery for those seeking a burial plot in the Fuji City area. The following are some of the features of this cemetery:
- Excellent Access: Convenient access from the center of Fuji City
- Perpetual Memorial Service: Equipped with perpetual memorial graves that can be used with peace of mind even by those without successors
- Comprehensive Management System: Careful management and memorial services by the temple
- Natural Environment: A quiet environment overlooking Mt. Fuji
Regarding perpetual memorial services, various plans are available to meet diverse needs, adapting to modern lifestyles and changing family structures. For details, we recommend contacting the temple directly.
About Funerals and Memorial Services
Myoeiji Temple conducts funerals and various memorial services in accordance with the customs of the Nichiren sect. We accept consultations regarding all Buddhist services, including annual memorial services, Obon (Buddhist festival) services, and Higan (Buddhist equinox) services. We provide consultations not only to temple parishioners but also to the general public.
Facility Information
Address: 10-3 Asamaue-cho, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture 417-0072
Phone Number: 0545-52-4895
Email Address: myoeiji-fuji@shizuoka.tnc.ne.jp
Sect: Nichiren Buddhism
Mountain Name: Shorinzan
Former Head Temple: Ren’eiji Temple
Dharma Connection: Shinshi Dharma Connection
Myoeiji Temple (Jufukuzan Myoeiji) in Kumamoto City
History and the Mother of Kato Kiyomasa
Jufukuzan Myoeiji Temple, located in Yokote 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is a historically important temple with deep ties to Kato Kiyomasa.
In 1602 (Keicho 7), Kato Kiyomasa, the lord of the Kumamoto domain, founded Myoeiji Temple to commemorate the third anniversary of the death of his mother, Ito (posthumous name: Seirin-in-dono Tenshitsu Nikko Daisonni), who died in 1600 (Keicho 5). The founding priest was Hatsusei-in Nichishin Shonin. Lord Kiyomasa deeply revered his mother and built this magnificent temple to mourn her passing.
While known as a Sengoku period warlord, Lord Kiyomasa was also a devout follower of the Nichiren sect. He made significant contributions to the development of Kumamoto, including the construction of Kumamoto Castle and flood control projects, but his filial piety towards his mother was also extraordinary, and Myoeiji Temple remains to this day as evidence of this.
Three Temples within the Temple Complex
After the founding of Myoeiji Temple, three temples within the complex—Honkakuji, Kakuenji, and Jitsuseiji—were established. These temples formed a group of sub-temples of Myōei-ji Temple.
Temple Grounds and the Mausoleum of Kato Kiyomasa’s Mother
The most distinctive feature of Myōei-ji Temple in Kumamoto City is the mausoleum of Ito, the mother of Kato Kiyomasa, located within its grounds. This mausoleum is an important historical site demonstrating Kiyomasa’s deep love for his mother, and attracts many visitors.
The temple gate is impressive, and the grounds include the main hall, living quarters, and cemetery. Among the successive chief priests, some, like the ninth chief priest, Nichigyō Shōnin, were very fond of cats, and stone statues of cats can be seen on the grounds.
Damage and Reconstruction from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake
Myōei-ji Temple suffered extensive damage from the Kumamoto Earthquake in April 2016. The roof of the temple gate collapsed, and the main hall was also damaged, among other historical structures.
Immediately after the earthquake, it was difficult to even enter the temple grounds, but thanks to the support of parishioners, the local community, and cooperation from across the country, the temple is on the path to recovery. Restoration of the damaged buildings is progressing in stages, and efforts continue to restore the historic temple to its former glory.
Annual Events
Myōei-ji Temple holds various Buddhist events throughout the year. In particular, the Nirvana Ceremony includes the unveiling and explanation of the Nirvana painting, as well as the public display of the illustrated scroll chronicling the life of Kiyomasa’s mother. These events are important opportunities to pass on the temple’s history and culture to future generations.
Facility Information
Location: 1-14-19 Yokote, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 860-0046
Phone Number: 096-352-2337
Sect: Nichiren Buddhism
Mountain Name: Jufukuzan
Former Head Temple: Honmyoji Temple
Relationship: Shinshi Hoen (Shinshi Relationship)
Founder: Kato Kiyomasa
First Abbot: Hatsuseiin Nichishin
Established: Keicho 7 (1602)
Myoeiji Temple in Tokushima City
A Sacred Site Dedicated to Myoken Bodhisattva
Myoeiji Temple, located in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, is a Nichiren Buddhist temple situated at the foot of Mount Bizan. The most distinctive feature of this temple is its sincere reverence and dedication to Myoken Bodhisattva.
Myōken Bodhisattva is a Buddhist guardian deity who personifies the North Star and is worshipped as a bodhisattva who governs directions and the movement of stars. Nichiren Buddhism places particular importance on Myōken Bodhisattva, and it is enshrined in many temples, but Myōei-ji Temple in Tokushima is especially known as a center of Myōken worship.
Location at the Foot of Mount Bizan
Mount Bizan is a symbol of Tokushima City, and its graceful form can be seen even from the city center. Myōei-ji Temple is spread out at the foot of Mount Bizan, and as a place where nature and spirituality intersect, it offers peace of mind to visitors.
In its tranquil environment, Myōei-ji Temple, which continues to uphold faith in Myōken Bodhisattva and the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism, serves as a spiritual anchor for the local people.
Facility Information
Location: Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture
Sect: Nichiren Buddhism
Principal Image: Myoken Bodhisattva
Relationship between Nichiren Buddhism and Myoei-ji Temple
Teachings of Nichiren Buddhism
Nichiren Buddhism is a Buddhist sect founded by Nichiren Shonin (1222-1282), a monk of the Kamakura period. It considers the Lotus Sutra (Myoho Renge Kyo) to be the only true scripture and teaches that one can attain Buddhahood by chanting the title “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.”
Nichiren Shonin criticized the corruption of the Buddhist world at the time and asserted that the teachings of the Lotus Sutra were the only teachings that could save the Latter Day of the Law. Despite facing much persecution, his teachings were spread throughout the country by his disciples, and it has become a large sect that continues to this day.
Nichiren Buddhism at Myoei-ji Temple
Myoei-ji temples throughout Japan have served as important centers for preserving and transmitting the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism in their respective regions. Myōei-ji Temple in Fuji City serves as a sacred site for Nichiji Shōnin, Myōei-ji Temple in Kumamoto City is the family temple of Katō Kiyomasa’s mother, and Myōei-ji Temple in Tokushima City is a center of Myōken worship, each playing its own unique role.
These temples transmit the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism to parishioners and local communities through daily services, annual events, funerals, and memorial services. They particularly emphasize the importance of chanting the mantra “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” and provide guidance for their religious lives.
Eight Nichiren Buddhism Temples and Kōraimon Gates
Nichiren Buddhism has various temple groups and lineages, and each temple belongs to its own head temple or lineage. Myōei-ji Temple also belongs to lineages such as the Shinshi Hōen (Master-Teacher Lineage) and operates within the overall network of Nichiren Buddhism.
Access Information for Each Myōei-ji Temple
Access to Myōei-ji Temple in Fuji City
Access by Train:
- Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Tōkaidō Main Line “Fuji Station” or “Yoshiwara Station”
- Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Gakunan Railway “Yoshiwara Honmachi Station”
Access by Car:
- Approximately 15 minutes from Tomei Expressway “Fuji IC”
- Approximately 20 minutes from Shin-Tōmei Expressway “Shin-Fuji IC”
Parking: Available
Access to Myōei-ji Temple in Kumamoto City
Access by Train/Bus:
- Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Kumamoto City Tram “Kuhonji Intersection Station”
- Approximately 12 minutes on foot from Kumamoto City Tram “Kōtsūkyoku-mae Station”
Access by Car:
- Approximately 10 minutes from central Kumamoto City
- Approximately 20 minutes from Kyushu Expressway “Kumamoto IC”
Parking: Available
Access to Myōei-ji Temple in Tokushima City
Access by Train:
- Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Tokushima Station
Access by bus:
- Tokushima City Bus available
Access by car:
- Approximately 15 minutes from Tokushima IC on the Tokushima Expressway
Manners for Visiting Myoeiji Temple
When visiting Myoeiji Temple, please observe the following basic manners:
- Attire: Please wear clean, understated clothing.
- Bow at the temple gate: Please bow before entering through the temple gate.
- Be quiet: Please behave quietly within the temple grounds and avoid disturbing other visitors.
- Photography: Photography may be prohibited inside the main hall and mausoleum. Please check beforehand.
- Offering: Offer your offering quietly and sincerely.
- Mantra: In the Nichiren sect, the mantra is “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.”
The Future of Myoeiji Temple and its Relationship with the Community
Myoeiji temples throughout Japan have been deeply connected to their local communities throughout their long history. Even today, in addition to traditional roles such as funerals and memorial services, they fulfill diverse roles including the preservation of local cultural properties, historical education, and serving as a spiritual haven.
Some temples, like Myoeiji Temple in Kumamoto City, are facing the challenge of recovery from natural disasters. The recovery of such temples is not simply about repairing buildings, but also about preserving the history and culture of the region and passing it on to future generations.
Furthermore, in response to the shortage of cemeteries and the growing need for perpetual memorial services in modern society, an increasing number of temples, like Myoeiji Temple in Fuji City, are developing cemeteries and providing perpetual memorial graves. This is a good example of traditional temples evolving their roles while responding to modern needs.
Summary
Myōei-ji temples are a group of historic Nichiren Buddhist temples located throughout Japan. Matsubayashi-zan Myōei-ji in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is counted as one of the three Myōei-ji temples of Suruga Province, a sacred site associated with Nichiji Shōnin. Jufuku-zan Myōei-ji in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, holds historical value as the family temple of Katō Kiyomasa’s mother. Myōei-ji in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, is known as a center of Myōken Bodhisattva worship.
Each Myōei-ji temple has developed uniquely within the history and culture of its region, while sharing the common mission of preserving and transmitting the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. They continue to function as spiritual pillars of their communities, meeting modern needs such as cemeteries, perpetual memorial services, funerals, and Buddhist ceremonies.
Visiting a Myōei-ji temple offers a valuable opportunity to experience Japanese Buddhist culture and local history. Why not spend some quiet time contemplating and appreciating the unique charm of each temple?
