Zenjibu-ji
History
According to the temple records, under imperial decree from Emperor Shōmu, the temple hall was created in order to pray for the safety of Gyōki during a sea voyage. Later, Kūkai sensed the hall as a sacred place, and while performing a goma carved Kannon as the honzon of the temple. Due to the shape of the mountain the temple was located on being shaped like the eight-leafed lotus and Mount Potalaka, Kūkai prayed to Akasagarbha, and named the temple Gumonji-in Zenjibu-ji (求聞持院禅師峰寺).
The Honzon is called Funadama Kannon (船魂(ふなだま)の観音 lit. ship spirit Kannon) as it was an area that fishermen would gather in prayer, and used a temple to pray for safe voyage since the rule of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, often prior to departure towards Edo for the sankin-kotai.
References
- ^ "Zenjibu-ji". Japan Visitor. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "第32番札所 八葉山 求聞持院 禅師峰寺 – (一社)四国八十八ヶ所霊場会". www.88shikokuhenro.jp. Retrieved 2020-05-26.