The Kohfukuji Temple Complex

History of Kohfukuji

The origins of Kohfukuji date to the eighth year of the reign of Emperor
Tenji (669 AD) when Kagami-no-Okimi, consort of the statesman Fujiwara-no-
Kamatari, established a temple at the family estate in Yamashina Suehara
(modern-day Kyoto prefecture) to pray for the recovery of Kamatari's illness.
This early Fujiwara tutelary temple was first known as Yamashina-dera. In
the temple Kagami-no-Okimi enshrined images of a Shaka triad (Sakyamuni, the
historical Buddha, along with two attendants), which had originally been
commissioned at the behest of Kamatari upon his defeat of the Soga clan in
645. A few years later the temple was moved to Umayasaka in Nara prefecture,
and named Umayasaka-dera.

With the establishment of the capital at Nara (traditionally called Heijokyo)
in 710, Yamashina-dera was the first temple to be relocated,and was moved to
its present location in a central block of the city.The temple, renamed
Kohfukuji, grew rapidly in size and wealth under the patronage of successive

emperors and empresses, and members of the powerful Fujiwara clan. It
developed a particularly close connection with the“Northern”branch of the
Fujiwara family, under whose sponsorship the temple gained considerable
power. Kohfukuji ranked as one of the“Four Great Temples”of the Nara
period, and one of the“Seven Great Temples”of the Heian period.

During the Heian period, Kohfukuji exercised virtual control over Kasga
Shrine, and became a dominant political power in the Yamato province. In the
Kamakura (1185-1332) and Muromachi (1533-1568) periods, the Shogunate made
Kohfukuji the“protector”of the province of Yamato, but the resources of
thetemple were steadily eroded during the latter years of the Muromachi.
In 16OO, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) attempted to revive Kofkuji as a purel
y religious establishment through as annual endowment of over 21,OOO koku of
rice, which made possible the renovation and reconstruction of many temple
buildings.

Kohfukuji was severely affected by the anti-Buddhist policies of the
early years of the Meiji era, at which time Kasuga shrine became inde-
pendent under the government ordinance forcing the separation of Shinto
shrines and Buddhist temples. The majority of Kohfukuji's property was
confiscated at that time, but the temple managed to recover and continues to
day as a head temple of the Hosso sect.

The Religion of Kohfukuji

Kohfukuji is one of the head temples of the Hosso(“dharma characteristics”)
sect of Buddhism. The Hosso sect is also known as the yuishiki(“mind only”)
sect.The teaching was first brought to China from India by the T'ang Dynasty
monk Genjo (Chinese: Hsuan Tsang), whose travels are well known from his
journal entitled “Travels to the West” (Chinese: Hsi yu chi). Genjo
transmitted the Hosso teachings, as found in the Yuishiki-ron (“Treatise on
Mind Only”),to his disciple Jion Daishi (Chinese: Tz'u-en Ta-shih),who is
considered the founder of the Hosso school in China. These doctrines were in
troduced to Kohfukuji by the monk Genbo (d. 746), who studied in China from
716-735.

Annual Services and Festivals at Kohfukuji

February,on Setsubun Day: Demon Chasing Ceremony; Eastern Golden Holl.
February 15: Nirvana Ceremony (in commemoration of the death of the Buddha)
;Main office complex.
March 5 : Ceremony in Memorial of Genjo; Main office complex.
April 8 : Buddha's Birthday Ceremony; Southern Octagnal Hall.
April 17 : Life Releasing Ceremony; Hitokoto-Kannon Hall.
April 25 : Manjusri Ceremony; Eastern Golden Holl,
May 11/12 : Takigi Noh (performance of Noh drama); Southern Main Gate.
July 7 : Benzaiten Festival; Three Storied Pagoda.
October 17 : Daihannya Ceremony; Southern Octagonal Hall.
November 13 : Ceremony in Memorial of Jion Daishi; Kari-kondo (north of the
Central Golden Hall).

Association of Friends of Kohfukuji

The Association of Friends of Kohfukuji is made up of those who desire to
develop a closer connection with the temple and strengthen their ties with
Buddhism. Members receive complimentary passes to exhibitions, issues of the
temple newsletter, and invitations to the annual ceremonies and events at
the temple. You are invited to inquire further. Annual dues are \3000.

Lecture Series on Buddhist Culture

Specialists in various subjets related to Buddhism and Buddhist Art are
invited to the temple to speak on their areas of expertise. Lectures are
held on the second Saturday of every month, beginning at 1 p.m., and are
held in the Kohfukuji Meeting Hall. The lectures are free and all are
invited　to attend. (Lectures are in Japanese.)

The Kohfukuji National Treasure Museum

The Museum was built to house the various statues, paintings, books
craftworks and historical documents which have been designated National
Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The Museum, completed in 1959 ,
was opened to the public in the hope that it would contribute to a deeper
understanding of Buddhism, and a heightened appreciation of Buddhist
cultural artifacts. Besides the permanent display which includes such well
known pieces as the standing Asura, and the head of Yakushi Nyorai, there is
also a special exhibition which is changed three times a year .

Entrance fees:

Adults and university students : \ 5O0 (tour groups : \ 400)
Junior high and high school students : \ 4OO (tour groups : \ 3O0)
Primary school students : \ l5O (tour groups : \ 100)
Open daily all year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. parking is available .

The Central Golden Hall

According to historical documens the constructiorn of this building was
begun in 7lO at the behest of Fujiwara Fuhito, and completed in 714 .The
present structure -- a restoration that dates to 1811 -- has suffered heavy
rain damage and is no longer functional. In order to halt the deterioration
of the statues they have been moved to the Kari-kondo (“Temporary Golden
Hall”) to the immediate north , which was once the site of the Sutra Hall.
These images include the main alter piece, being an image of Sakyamuni
Buddha, as well as Yakuo (The Medicine King), Bhaisajyasamudgata Bodhisattva
(an Important Cultural Property), and the Shi Tenno (Four Deva Kings,
Important Cultural Properties) .

The Eastern Golden Hall (National treasure)

There are three“Golden Halls”at Kohfukuji, all of which take their names
according to their location in the temple complex. The original structure
was built at the behest of the Emperor Shomu in 726 to speed the recovery of
the ailing Empress Gensho. The current building dates to 1415. Enshrined
within are Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru, the mainalter piece, and an
Important Cultural Property), Nikko Bosatsu and
Gakko Bosatsu (Suryaprabha and Candraprabha, both important Cultural
Properties), Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri, a National Treasure), Yuima Koji (the
Layman Vimalakirti, a National Treasure), Shi Tenno (Four Deva Kings,
National Treasures), and Juni Shinsho (Twelve Heavenly Generals, National
Treasures). This building is open to the public seven days a week, from
9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Five Storied Pagoda (National Treasures)

This pagoda was constructed by the Empress Komyo in 725. The current
building is a restoration completed in 1426, and is the second highest
pagoda in Japan, rising 50.1 meters. Inside the structure on the first
level, enshrined around the central pillar are a Yakushi triad (to the
east), a Shaka triad (to the south), an Amida triad (to the west), and a
Miroku triad (to the north).

The Northern Octagonal Hall (National Treasure)

The Northern Octagonal Hall was originally built by the Empress Genmei
and the Emperor Gensho in 72l, to honor the first anniversary of the death
of Fujiwara Fuhito. The current building is a reconstruction which dates to
approximately 1210. The images inside are by the hand of the renown
Kamakura period sculptor Unkei. These include the main alter image of
Miroku Nyorai (Maitreya), the Bodhisattvas Mujaku and Seshin (Asanga and
Vasubandhu), and the Shi Tenno (Four Deva Kings) , all of which are National
Treasures. This building is open to the public only during special viewing
periods in the spring and fall. (The dates of the openings vary from year to
year. Please inquire further for detaiis.)

The Southern Octagonal Hall

This hall is temple number nine of the West Japan thirty-three temple
pilgrimage route. The hall was first constructled in 813 by Fujiwara-no-
Fuyutsugu, though the present building is a reconstruction which dates to
1789. Inside the hall are enshrined the main altar piece Fukukensaku Kannon
(Amoghapasa-avalokitesvara,“Avalokitesvara of the Unfailing Fishing Line”),
statues of the six patriarchs of the Hosso school, and the Shi Tenno ( Four
Deva Kings), all of which are National Treasures. The hall is open to the
public only once a year, on October 17.

The Hitokoto Kannon Hall

This building, relocated to this site during the Meiji period, houses a
hidden image of Hitokoto Kannon, or“Avalokitesvara of a Single Ut-
terance”.This name for Kannon (Avalokitesvara) is derived from the
belief that if one sincerely recites Kannon's name, Kannon is sure to
respond to the devotees prayer.

The Fudo Hall

This building, constructed during the Meiji era, houses an image of Fudo
Myoo (Acalanatha, or simply Acala, “mmovable”), the messenger of the
Buddha who destroys evil. A fire ceremony (goma) is performed here on
the 1st, 15th and 28th of each month.

The Three Storied Pagoda (National Treasure)

This pagoda was built at the behest of the consort of the Emperor
Sutoku, in 1143. The present building is a reconstruction which dates
to the beginning of the Kamakura period. On the first story are four
paintings on wood depicting 1000 images each of Yakushi Nyorai (east),
Shaka Nyorai (south), Amida Nyorai (west), and Miroku (north).

The Bath House (Important Cultural Property)

The earthen floor bath house, rebuilt around the middle of the Muromachi
period, contains two large iron cauldrons for heating water. The build-
ing has a gable roof on the east side, and a hip-gable roof on the west.

Omido

This building is also known from various Japanese folk tales as the Hall
of Thirteen Bells. This hall was first completed during the Nara
period, but the current structure dates from around 1580. Inside the
hall are enshrined Amida Nyorai (an Important Cultural Property),
Yakushi Nyorai, Fukukensaku Kannnon, and Chigo Kanon.