the viewing deck: Kamakura Trip 2nd part; Enno-ji and Kencho-ji Temples

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Kamakura Trip 2nd part; Enno-ji and Kencho-ji Temples

6-days Revisiting Summer Japan for Mt. Fuji (3,776masl) Solo Trek
August 07-13, 2014

Kamakura Trip 1st Part; Meigetsu-in and Engaku-ji Temples

How to go to Kencho-ji Temple;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kita-Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. Entrance gate is 1.5km away from the Kita-Kamakura train station. Admission fee is 300JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Kencho-ji Temple is the first ranked of the Five Great Zen Temples of Kamakura and is oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It was constructed by order of the Emperor Gofukakusa during the regency of Hojo Tokiyori (1227-63). Work was completed in the fifth year of the Kencho Era (1253) from which the name of the temple was taken. The founder of Kencho-ji was Rankei Doryu, a Chinese Zen Master of the Sung Dynasty. He left China in 1246 to teach Zen in Japan, spending several years in Kyushu and Kyoto before coming to Kamakura to found Kencho-ji. After his death the memorial title "Daikaku Zenji" (Teacher of Great Realization) was conferred upon him by the Emperor Gouda. This was the first time in Japanese history that such a title was given to a Zen sect.

Kamakura Trip 2nd Part; Kencho-ji Temple

How to go to Enno-ji Temple;
From Tokyo, ride a train bound to Kita-Kamakura Station for almost 1.5hr travel time at 920JPY($9.29) fare fee. Entrance gate is 1.5km away from the Kita-Kamakura train station. Admission fee is 200JPY. Photography and video taking with monopod is permitted inside, tripod is prohibited.

Enno-ji Temple is a temple that worships the Ten Judges of Hell, with Enma Daio in the center, whom one will meet in the underworld after death. Enma Daio refers to Yama from Rig Veda, the oldest Hindu mythology. Yama was born initially as human, and later became the ruler of paradise after his death. As Yama from India was introduced in China along with Buddhism, Yama became "Enma". And due to the influence by Taoism, it later became the "Thoughts of Ten Judges of Hell", centered around Enma Daio.