Basic Information
Description
The head temple of the Jodo Seizan Zenrinji school.
It's said that the calligrapher Fujiwara no Sekio built a mountain villa here in the early Heian period, which was later converted by Shinsho, a disciple of Kukai, into an esoteric Buddhist training hall called Muryoju-in.
The temple later converted to the Jodo (Pure Land) sect. Around 1077, the monk Eikan began practicing Pure Land nembutsu here, and the temple came to be known as Eikando.
The standing Amida Nyorai in the main hall has its head twisted to look back over its left shoulder — it's called the "Mikaeri Amida" (Looking-Back Amida). The interpretation is that it's looking back to save the sentient beings following behind. There are also evening illuminations during the autumn foliage season.