Shikoku Temple 74 Koyamaji

For a gaijin like me, it is difficult to appreciate the differences and subtleties of the different Buddhist temples in Shikoku.

What does differentiate the different temples is their natural settings.  And Koyamaji is full of charm in that respect.

The area around Koyamaji is the hometown of Kobo Daishi, and it is said to have played a role in his childhood. Kobo Daishi, who was in the early peaceful days and in the prime of life, was looking for a sacred place to build between Zentsuji and Mandaraji.

At one point, when he walked near Mt. Ko, an old man appeared from a rocky cave, “I am a saint who has lived here for a long time, provided happiness and benefits to people, and spread the teachings of the Buddha. I will protect you forever. “Kobo Daishi was delighted and engraved the Bishamonten celestial statue, placed in the cave, and enshrined it.

After that, Kobo Daishi was appointed as a director to oversee the construction of the largest reservoir in Japan, Mannoike, in response to the edict of Emperor Saga. It was a difficult construction that even the specialists dispatched by the Imperial Court could not accomplish.

Kobo Daishi prayed for the completion of the restoration work at Koyama’s cave and carved a statue of Yakushi Nyorai. Then, tens of thousands of people gathered in admiration of the master, and together they completed it in just three months. Kobo Daishi, who was commended for this achievement by the imperial court and was awarded 20,000 sen, used part of it for the construction of the temple, and enshrined Yakushi Nyorai, who was engraved in prayer earlier.

It was named “Koyamaji” because the shape of the mountain resembles that of the shape of Bishamonten’s armor.  Yakushi Nyorai is a Buddha who is said to be ward off anything that harms the body and mind. It goes without saying that it is a powerful blessing for the people who have visited Koyamaji.