Jobonrendai-ji Temple (上品蓮台寺)
Jobonrendai-ji Temple, located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, is a temple of the Chizan school of the Shingon sect. Its sango (literally, "mountain name"), which is the title prefixed to the name of a Buddhist temple, is Rengekinpozan. Its ingo, a title given to a Buddhist temple, is Kuhon Zanmaiin. Its honzon (the principal image of Buddha) is Enmei Jizo Bosatsu (literally, Apothanasia Ksitigarbha).
History
Although this temple is reported to have been founded by Prince Shotoku, some have said it was originally built in the middle Heian period by Kanku (882-970), a monk of the Shingon sect who had received from Cloistered Emperor Uda a ceremonial Kanjo (the esoteric Buddhist ritual of pouring water over the top of a monk's head). Shakanyorai-zo (the statue of Buddha Shakamuni), which has been reserved in Sagano Seiryo-ji Temple, was originally implored in Tang (China) and brought to Japan by Chonen in 987, whereupon it was installed in this Jobonrendai-ji Temple and later transferred to Seiryo-ji Temple. Jobonrendai-ji Temple once had 12 sub-temples within its premises, and accordingly it was also called 'Juni-bo Temple' (the temple having 12 sub-temples).
Cultural properties
National Treasure
Shihon Chakushoku E Ingakyo (Color painting on paper of illustrated Sutra of Past and Present Cause and Effect)
Important Cultural Properties (designated by the national government)
Kenpon Chakushoku Jizo Bosatsu-zo (Color painting on silk of a portrait of Ksitigarbha)
Kenpon Chakushoku Monju Bosatsu-zo (Color painting on silk of a portrait of Manjusri Bodhisattva)
Grave site
Jocho, a sculptor of Buddhist statues
Nariakira FUJITANI and Mitsue FUJITANI
Location
33-1 Murasakino Junibo-cho, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture