Old Mountain Temple #1
Yamadera is an old temple in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The temple’s official name is Risshaku-ji Temple but Yamadera is more familiar for many Japanese. Yamadera means “mountain temple”. About 40 temple facilities are scattered on the slope of Mt. Houju-san, 1015 stone steps continue from the foot to the top of the mountain and the whole mountain is the precincts of the temple. The mountain and the buildings make the scenery looks like an ink painting which is very beautiful and attracts many visitors. Yamadera exactly represents what it is.
The temple starts with Kompon Chudo, the main hall. It is said that the temple was founded in 860, during the Heian Era by a high priest Ennin Jikaku-Daishi and the original main hall was built then. Over history, the hall was destroyed and rebuilt. The current building was made in 1356, in the Muromachi Period.
There is a big wooden statue of Hotei at the entrance of the main hall. Hotei is the deity of abundance and happiness. It is said that your wish will come true by touching the statue while making your wish. I touched the entire surface of the statue.
As I walked in the precincts I saw a big stone altar. It is the altar of Jizo, one of the Bodhisattvas in Buddhism. People believe that Jizo is the guardian of children and babies. The Jizo statues here are for miscarried or stillborn babies. Pinwheels and toys are offered to console their souls.
