Zenkouji

Zenkoji is a temple of unusual character in that it does not belong to any one sect. The temple welcomes visiting worshipers from all over the country regardless of sect or gender. One reason for its immense popularity is that Zenkoji is considered to be one of the temples a worshiper should visit at least once in a lifetime due to the fact that Zenkoji was built soon after Buddhism was born in Japan. The temple was built when Buddhism was first introduced to Japan before various sects evolved. The temple also enshrines what is believed to be the first Buddha statue ever brought to Japan from what was known as the Three Kingdoms. The Three Kingdoms refers to the transfer of the Buddhist statue from India to China, then China to the Korean Peninsula, and finally from the Korean Peninsula to Japan. The Buddhist station enshrined at the temple is known as a secret Buddha which means that it is never allowed to be seen, even by priests working at the temple. However, a replica statue is brought out and put on display every six years which attracts many worshipers and visitors. The inner chamber of the temple has a completely dark corridor where worshipers try to find and touch a metal key hanging on the wall in order to gain enlightenment. The key is a symbol of the Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha.