Tendai Buddhist temple in Nikkō, Tochigi prefecture, Japan
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The site was established in 766 by the Buddhist monk Shōdō Shōnin (735–817).[1] Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan, the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude, and it still is considered an important base for ascetic training among Tendai monks.[2]
Among the most famous buildings in Rinnō-ji is the Sanbutsudō (三仏堂, Three Buddha Hall). This building features gold-leafed statues of Amida, Senju Kannon ("Kannon with a thousand arms") and Batō Kannon ("Kannon with a horse's head"). These deities are considered as Buddhist manifestations of Nikkō's three mountain kami enshrined at Futarasan Shrine.[4]
Next to the Sanbutsudō Hall there are Shōyō-en Garden and the Rinno-ji Homotsu-den Hall ("Treasure House of Rinnō-ji").[5] The latter houses an important collection of Buddhist art, including sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, scrolls and other crafts, mainly from the 8th century, and approximately 50 of them are on display at any given time. In addition, the temple houses the Daihatsu nehankyō shūge (大般涅槃経集解, Commentaries on sutras), an important instruction manual of the Nirvana Sutra in 59 handscrolls dated from the Nara and Heian periods. It is designated a National Treasure.[6][7]
For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.