Chinkoku-ji Temple

Overview

Chinkoku-ji Temple is located in Yoshida, Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It belongs to the Shingon sect, Omuro-ha branch, and is a distinguished head temple (bekkaihonzan). Its mountain name is Hyobosan, and its principal image is Dainichi Nyorai. According to temple lore, when Kukai (Kobo Daishi) was returning from Tang China on the 16th Kentoshi (Japanese embassy to Tang) ship, he encountered a violent storm. He prayed fervently to the Munakata Sanjin (three deities of Munakata), the sea's guardian gods. Then, Fudo Myoo appeared on the waves, wielding a sword in his right hand to part the waves and calm the storm, allowing Kukai to safely reach China. Later, in Chang'an (present-day Xi'an), he received esoteric teachings of Shingon Buddhism from Kai-e, a monk at Qinglong Temple. Upon his return to Japan in 806 AD and landing in Hakata, he first paid his respects at Munakata Taisha Shrine. Seeing auspicious clouds hanging over Hyobosan, he began to practice ascetic training in a cave in the inner sanctuary. There, he received a divine message saying, ‘This place is a sacred ground where the fundamental dojo for protecting the nation should be established.’ He then built a temple and named it Hyobosan Chinkoku-ji Temple. Around this time, Kukai stayed in Dazaifu for several years. Chinkoku-ji Temple sits on a small hill east of Munakata Taisha Shrine, across the Tsurigawa River. The temple grounds are filled with a variety of flowering trees and shrubs, earning it the name ‘Flower Temple.’ You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons, such as cherry blossoms and wisteria in spring, and autumn leaves in fall. There are many highlights, including the important cultural property, a wooden standing statue of Fudo Myoo, and a group of Buddhist statues in the Go-butsudo Hall, a designated cultural property of Fukuoka Prefecture. Why not visit Chinkoku-ji Temple and experience its history and natural beauty?