The Everlasting Light of Wisdom in Nirvana — The Jojakko-ji Temple in Arashiyama

In terms of natural environ, the Jojakko-ji Temple brings to the large selection of temple visits in Arashiyama another kind of aura. The red foliage at Jojakko-ji Temple is fused in one with its temple structures. The warm colors of the foliage hover over the minimalistic temple architecture. In Jojakko-ji Temple I experienced the variations of light, and it felt spiritual there. I certainly felt the warmth of apricity the in late morning. As I ascended on a higher point in the temple, the cool mists from Mount Ogura seemed to have descended upon me. Jojakko-ji Temple unveiled the full contours of its charm, and I was spellbound.



Jojakko-ji Temple was founded in 1596, at a time when Japan was mired in civil wars and right at the dawn of the Edo period. The temple is of the Nichiren School of Japanese Buddhism. Based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddhist priest Nichiren developed this school of Buddhism during the Kamakura period in the 13th century. Nichiren Buddhism was thought to be one of the “six new schools” of Kamakura Buddhism that emerged in this time.

Arose in a time of civil strife in Japan, Nichiren Buddhism advocated for a practical application of the Lotus Sutra in one’s individual life, including both meditation and actions, to eventually benefit the society at large. As a priest, Nichiren argued against the other popular schools of Buddhism that proposed competing views about the doctrinal teachings of the Lotus Sutra. In fact, he was very much against Zen Buddhism, which was a preeminent school of practice in Arashiyama.

There are four main structures in the Jojakko-ji Temple. From the ground up, you would go through the Niomon Gate first, then Hondo to your right, Myoken-do to your left, and Tahoto at an even higher vantage point. Wonderful seasonal trees lined up all over the temple grounds and clothe Jojakko-ji in the velvety flush of autumn colors. Although there were a lot of foot traffic at this time of the year, one will not miss the serenity that percolates in this temple.




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Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Feb 16, 2025