Basic Information
Description
Jodo (Pure Land) sect; the principal image is Amida Nyorai. According to tradition, Kukai (Kobo Daishi) established this temple. In ancient times, the dead at Adashino were left out in the open in a practice of wind burial, and Kukai gathered the remains and gave them proper rites — that's how it all started. Originally it was a Shingon-sect temple under Daikaku-ji. It was first called Gochi Nyorai-ji, but was renamed Nembutsu-ji after Honen later established a nembutsu hall here. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1712. The principal Amida Buddha is said to be the work of the sculptor Tankei. The small stone pagodas unearthed from the surrounding area mostly date to the Muromachi period.
About 8,000 stone Buddhist figures and pagodas fill the grounds, and every year on August 23rd and 24th, the Sento Kuyo (Thousand Lantern Memorial) is held. (Advance registration by return postcard is required.)