Temple 72, Mandaraji

History of the temple

Mandaraji was founded in 596, making it the oldest temples on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It was built as a family temple of the Saeki family, the family of the lords of Sanuki (Kagawa), and was initially called Yosakaji. Kobo Daishi visited this temple in 807, the year after his return from China. He came to pray for the repose of the soul of his mother, Tamayori Gozen. It took him three years to build a temple complex modeled after Seiryuji Temple in China. He dedicated a statue of Dainichi Nyorai (Mahāvairocana) as the principal image, set up mandalas of the Diamond Realm and the Womb Realm that he had brought back from China, and renamed the temple Mandalaji.

Old guidebooks of the Shikoku Pilgrimage also mention the existence of a Furo Matsu, an old pine tree that was planted by Kobo Daishi at this time. It was less than 4 meters tall but 17 or 18 meters in diameter, making it very impressive. It looked like two sugagasa, the conical straw hats worn by pilgrims. It was designated a Prefectual Natural Monument, but it was damaged by pine beetles and was cut down in 2002.

Near Mandaraji is a hill called Mizuguki no Oka (Hill of Writing Brush). The poet Saigyo Hoshi built a hermitage here and lived in the hut for more than seven years. He often went to this temple and took a nap on a flat stone in front of the Hondo. The stone is still there. It is known as Saigyo's Napping Stone. There is a cherry tree next to the stone called Kasa Gake Zakura (Left Behind Hat Cherry Tree). It is said that when Saigyo was returning to the capital, he saw his companion had left a hat on the tree as a memento and composed a poem, "The hat is there. What will happen to the owner? Sad rain is soaking the ground.”

Highlights

Standing statue of Sho Kannon Bosatsu (Bodhisattva Who Hears the Sounds of the World)

This 158 cm statue is housed in the Kannondo and is made of a single piece of cypress wood. It was carved in the late Heian period (794-1185). It is a Tangible Cultural Property of Kagawa Prefecture. The face of the statue is depicted on a commemorative postage stamp of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Kasamatsu Daishi

A seated image of Kobo Daishi carved on the trunk of a Furo Matsu (Never Aging Pine Tree) or Kasa Matsu (Hat Pine Tree). Pilgrims rub the Kasamatsu Kobo Daishi to remember the image of Kobo Daishi.

Saigyo's Napping Stone

This is a stone where Saigyo (1118-1190), a poet monk of the late Heian period, used to take naps.

Annual Events

Eitai Kyo Dosha Kaji Hoyo (Soil Memorial Service): Spring, the first day of the equinoxes
Hoshiku (Star Ritual for Warding off Evil): Winter Solstice, New Year's Eve, Setsubun

Details

Number: Temple 72
Names: Gahaishizan, Enmeiin, Mandaraji
Denomination: Shingon sect, Zentsuji school
Principal Image: Dainichi Nyorai
Founder: Kobo Daishi
Founded: 807
Mantra of Dainichi Nyorai: On Abiraunken Bazaradadoban

Access

Address: 1380-1 Yoshihara Town, Zentsuji City, Kagawa 765-0061
Phone: 0877-63-0072
Parking: Yes
Lodging: None
Official website: https://www.mandaraji.jp
Official social media: Facebook
Driviing directions: From the Zentsuji Interchange, turn right toward Kotohira. Turn right at the first overpass intersection, then head west on Prefectural Route 48. Turn left at the traffic light near the Yoshiwara Kominkan (Community Center), then turn right in the middle of the housing complex. The temple will be on your right.

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