Yogodo Hall, built in 1994, is part of the Senso-ji temple complex in Tokyo's Asakusa district. Senso-ji is an important Buddhist temple, Tokyo's oldest, which was built to house a golden statue of bodhisattva Kannon, the goddess of mercy and kindness, found by two fishermen in 628 A. D. The statue is hidden from view by long-established tradition.
Yogodo Hall was built to commemorate the 1,200th anniversary of Ennin's birth. Ennin was a Buddhist priest who visited Senso-ji and felt inspired to create a copy of the hidden statue of bodhisattva Kannon that could be displayed and worshipped. Inside Yogodo Hall are statues of bodhisattva Kannon and eight Buddhas. The Buddhas are believed to protect the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (dragon, monkey, ox, and so forth), and, thus, to protect the people born in each of those years.
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Photo © Steve Parode
What a classically Japanese temple. I would love to visit Tokyo, but I’m not sure I could get away without my grandchildren, who are fascinated by all things Japanese.
It’s really beautiful. I have always had an interest in Japan, mainly because I grew up with many Japanese and Korean children, who taught me about their cultures.
Thank for the information about the Buddhas serving as protectors of the Zodiac animals, I’m a Horse and my husband is a Rat. That’s about all I know about the Chinese Zodiac, do the Japanese people follow the Chinese Zodiac then? Or, is it really more of an Asian Zodiac system?