Pop Japan

Buddhism had evolved into three sects in the Land of the Rising Sun: Soutou, Oubaku and Rinzai. The last one started out in the Kamakura Period from the years 1185 to 1333.

The Myoshin-ji is the head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism sect. Considered to be the largest school in this sect, the Myoshin-ji covers around 3500 temples all over Japan, which is more than half of the 6000 Rinzai temples worldwide. Located in Kyoto, the old capital, the place was formally the palace grounds of Emperor Hanazono.

Today this place has been nationally designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site.​

Photo by Mal B. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Tags: travel, Temple, Myoshin-ji, Kyoto, Japan, Zen Buddhism, soutou, oubaku, kamakura period, emperor hanazono, place of scenic beauty and historic site