Fudo-in Temple
Fudo-in Temple is a semi-special head temple of the Shingon sect, located
on Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture.
The
principal image is a hidden Buddha statue of Acala, said to have been carved by
Kobo Daishi Kukai himself.
Fudo-in
Temple is one of the twelve temples founded in Nishitani by Saikō in 906. It is
known as the family temple of the Yamashina Imperial Family and is also known
as "Yamashina Betsuin (branch temple)."
The
Kii Zoku Fudoki records that the temple first began when a son of Emperor Saga
built the Daishi Hall and twelve other temples, naming it Bodaishin-in.
Later,
Saikō, the head priest of Toji Temple, resided there, and the temple was
renamed Gatsujo-in.
The
temple grounds contain the tomb of Bifukumon'in (wife of Toba emperor ), who
died in 1160.
The kuri (kitchen quarters), currently used as a dining area, was built
during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (16th C.) and is a designated cultural property of Wakayama Prefecture.
Fudo-in
is one of the lodging temples (hotels) on Mount Koya.
Take
the bus from Koyasan Station on the Nankai Koya Line, get off at Rengedani, and
walk for 5 minutes.
