Honen-In Temple

Honen-in Temple is a Jodo sect-related temple located in Shishigatani, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. In the early Kamakura period, Honen-bo Genku, the founder of Jodo Buddhism, established a hermitage in Shishigatani, where he and his disciples Anraku and Juren devoted themselves to constant nembutsu practice and recited the Rokuji Raisan. An incident occurred when the retired Emperor Gotoba’s ladies-in-waiting, Matsumushi and Suzumushi, admired Anraku and Juren and became nuns, provoking the emperor’s anger. Honen was exiled to Sanuki, Anraku and Juren were executed, and the hermitage fell into ruin. In the Edo period, the monk Mannmu of Chion-in vowed to establish a nembutsu training hall at a site associated with Honen, laying the foundations of the current temple precincts. At Honen-in, unless there are events, the approach path up to the front of the main hall is open, and admission is free. Viewing of the Hojo Garden, the sliding-door paintings in the Hojo, and the famous camellias in the inner courtyard is available only during special temple complex openings on 4/1–7 and 11/1–7, which require an additional fee. The lecture hall within the precincts is now used as a rental gallery, hosting small photography and art exhibitions. Honen-in is near the Philosopher’s Path and attracts many tourists during the spring and autumn seasons.