Myōshin-ji

The Myoshin -ji (Japanese妙 心 寺) is the main temple by far the largest of the 15 schools of the Rinzai line of Japanese Zen, and thus reference point for 19 monasteries and temples 3500. Located in the northwest of Kyoto in the park Hanazono of the district Ukyo conditioning unites within its walls 47 branch temples and some outside the walls.

Originally built by Emperor Hanazono as a palace, the plant in 1342 by Zen Master kanzan - Egen Zenji ( 1277-1360 ), was promoted by the former emperor, who had retired after his abdication to the monastic life, became one of the largest temples of Kyoto ( The somewhat peripherally located district is since 1931 part. Kyoto station Hanazono ). After the destruction of most buildings and gardens in the Ōnin War (1467-1477) was the temple of the Zen master - Sekko Soshin Zenji (1408-1486), built the 6th Kancho of the temple again and won again rapidly in size and influence. Within 150 years, the system had reached today's extent.

Apart from some particularly wonderful gardens, like that of the branch - temple Taizo - in, is a famous dragon paintings (12.5 m in the diagonal) of Kanō Tan'yu from the 17th century on the ceiling of the lecture hall ( Hatto - building) to visit. Since the right eye of the dragon is right in the center of the circular painting, feels every visitor to ' observed ' in any part of the room. In the same building there is also a National Treasure ( Ojikicho ), namely the oldest surviving bell of Japan's 698 famous is the gateway to Abtsquartier ( Hojo ) and the Hojo itself, which was built in 1654 with his painted wall screens and the statue of the salvific Amida nyorai. The on going back in 1656 Turkish ( Yokushitsu ) is another special feature of Myoshin -ji.

In Myoshin -ji ( Hōjō - building) and the Kancho, the abbot of Myoshin -ji line of Rinzai shū resides.

Near the temple there are also the only university in the Rinzai Shuu, the Hanazono University, and the Hanazono High School and the Rakusai Kindergarten.