Hōgon-ji is a temple of the Ji Buddhist sect in Matsuyama. It’s known as the birthplace of Ippen, who founded the Ji (time) sect as an offshoot of the Jōdo or Pure Land sect in 1276. Disciples of Ippen sought enlightenment by chanting the name of Amida and dancing ecstatically. Ippen is depicted in numerous statues as a humble ascetic, skinny as a stick from all his traveling.
             - 1 min read        
        Hogon-ji Temple in Dogo, Matsuyama
Birthplace of Ippen, the wandering saint
 
            By Anonymous
        Community writer                            
                    
     
                            
                            
                                Hogon-ji stands at the top of the slope called Neon Zaka, Matsuayama's old red light district                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The gateway to Hogon-ji is imposing                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The double roof provides welcome respite from an April shower                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The temple stands in pretty, heavily wooded grounds                            
                         
                            
                            
                                Besides the natural greenery, the temple keepers have prettified the precincts with many flowers                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The doors to the main hall are beautifully carved                            
                         
                            
                            
                                A characterful dragon guards one of the subsidiary buildings                            
                         
                            
                            
                                Behind the temple is a large graveyard. Here spring plums litter the ground between the graves                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The character for 'spirit' that makes up the Japanese word for 'graveyard'                            
                         
                            
                            
                                You can potter around the graveyard and enjoy the statuary on the graves                            
                         
                            
                            
                                The main hall through a veil of wet foliage                            
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                                        Preethu 
                                        
                    
                    
                        8 years ago                    
                
            
                    Nice Place.                
                                                
            1 comment in total
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