Eikan-do – Susan Spann, Adventure, Mystery, and Mountains

Wednesday Window: December 1, 2021

Susan Spann Blog December 1, 2021November 30, 2021autumn leaves, Eikan-do, foliage, Japan, Kyoto, photography, temples

Autumn foliage at Eikan-do (永観堂)–formerly known as Zenrinji-ji, a Pure Land Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The temple was founded in 853, and remains both an active site of Buddhist worship and practice and one of Japan’s most famous sites for viewing autumn leaves.

The Eikan-do Garden and Shinbutsu Bunri (Eikan-do, Part 3)

Susan Spann Blog April 6, 2018April 6, 2018Buddhism, Eikan-do, Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji, Pure Land, shinbutsu bunri, Shinto

Kyoto’s Eikan-do Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Seizan branch of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. The temple sits near the southern end of the famous Philosopher’s Path, and although it’s famous for autumn foliage, the temple gardens are spectacular year-round. The photo above shows the path that leads from the gardens (and pagoda hill) down to the temple’s beautiful lake.

A Visit to Eikan-do, part 2: The Pagoda

Susan Spann Blog March 30, 2018March 29, 2018Eikan-do, Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji, Eikando, Kyoto, pagoda, view

No visit to Kyoto’s Eikan-do would be complete without a visit to the hillside pagoda – though many visitors miss the amazing view because the path to the pagoda (and the fact that it’s open to the public) isn’t always obvious. The path lies past the dragon fountain, at the edge of the steep hillside incline at the back of the temple grounds.

A Visit to Eikan-do (Part 1)

Susan Spann Blog March 28, 2018April 6, 2018Buddhism, Eikan-do, Eikan-dō Zenrin-ji, Japan, Kyoto, philosopher's path, temples

Eikan-do Zenrin-ji sits on the southern end of the famed “Philosopher’s Path” that runs along a canal in Northeastern Kyoto. Founded during the mid-9th century, Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect of Buddhism in Japan, and although it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s also very much a living, functioning Buddhist temple.