Shimotsuke Kokubunji
栃木県
Ruins of the Shimotsuke provincial temple built by imperial edict in 741, with foundation stones evoking the grandeur of the Nara period
Founded
741
Type
Temple
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JR宇都宮線小金井駅からタクシー約10分
栃木県下野市国分寺
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Overview
The Shimotsuke Kokubunji Temple Ruins, located in Kokubunji, Shimotsuke City, are the remains of a government-sponsored temple established by imperial edict of Emperor Shomu in 741 (Tenpyo 13). The temple served as the center of Buddhism and culture in Shimotsuke Province, and its precincts once encompassed a grand complex of structures including a kondo (main hall), a lecture hall, and a seven-st…
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Origins
In 741, Emperor Shomu issued an imperial edict ordering the construction of provincial temples (kokubunji) and nunneries (kokubunniji) in more than sixty provinces throughout Japan, with the aim of securing national stability through the power of Buddhism. Shimotsuke Kokubunji was established in acc…
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Divine Benefits
Healing & Longevity
Warding Off Evil
Long Life
Recovery from illness, bodily wellness, peace of mind. Especially efficacious at Yakushi and Kannon temples.
Derived from the enshrined deity "薬師如来"
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