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WLABT at the Otani Mausoleum by Sei Shohara
At the end of each year, our Temple minister submits a list of members who passed away during the year to Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan. Nishi Hongwanji is the mother temple for all of us Shin Buddhists worldwide. This list goes to the Otani Honbyo. Following are parts of an information sheet given to visitors about the rich history of Otani Honbyo.
“The Otani Honbyo, popularly known as Nishi Otani, is the Mausoleum dedicated to Shinran Shonin (1173-1263), the founder of the Shin Buddhist tradition (Jodo Shinshu) and one of the foremost figures in the history of Japanese religion…..”
“…..After Shinran's death in Kyoto at the age of 90, his descendants and disciples built a chapel dedicated to this memory at Otani, north of Maruyama Park in the eastern hills of Kyoto and gradually developed it into the Hongwanji temple. During the 15th century, the Hongwanji buildings were destroyed by monk-warriors from Mount Hiei, but in 1589, Toyotomi Hideyoshi provided for the preservation of the mausoleum at its original site, and in 1591 also donated a tract of land about 2 km west of here for the Hongwanji temple. In 1603, the mausoleum was moved south to its present location.”
“The Otani Mausoleum now occupies an area of nearly 20 acres including the cemetery behind.”
“Walking up from…..to reach the main gate ….. From here, the main hall (hondo or butsuden) dedicated to Amida Buddha can be seen slightly
© 2008 West Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Online
