Mt. Tokko, Shoryu-ji Temple
2023/11/2
This is the second article about Shouryu-ji Temple in Tosa City, Kochi Prefecture.
When you visit Shouryu-ji Temple, you will see and hear the word Tokkosan(Tokko mountain), which is somewhat difficult Japanese character to read.
Tokko in Tokkosan
Tokko is one of the ritual tools. Kobo Daishi threw some Tokkoes from China. One of the places where one of them fell is said to be Shouryu-ji Temple.
That is why when you come to Shouryu-ji Temple , you will see and hear the word Tokkosan.
Another Tokko is said to have fallen and got caught in a pine tree on Mt. Koya, Wakayama Prefecture
In the Tang Dynasty, Kobo Daishi received the secret method of Shingon from the monk Keikakasho. In order to repay his kindness, Daishi wrote to his mentor that he would build a temple after returning home, and then threw some tokko pestles into the sky. When Daishi returned to Japan and toured around Shikoku, he found a pestle in a pine tree on this mountain, and after telling Emperor Saga about it, he built this temple.
The temple was named Tokkosan Shouryu-jii Temple , after the Tokko, the pestle that was found in the mountain, and was designated as the 36th sacred temple.
The principal image, Namikiri Fudo Myoo, is said to have cut the wind and waves when Kobo Dashi encountered a storm on his voyage to the Tang Dynasty. The deity is believed to have calmed down a rough sea. Even today, it is customary for a captain and other fishermen engaged in deep-sea fishing to visit this temple, and pray for safety at sea before departing.
The principal image, Nakiri Fudo Myoo
Please look at the Tokko and the stone statue that cut through the sea closely. How would you feel?
The mantra is
“Nouma kusanmanda bazaradan senda makaroshada sowataya untarata kanman.”
The important notice is that you should pronounce da in kusanmanda and ma in makaroshada long because reading this mantra is difficult. That long sound makes it easier to chant. Fudo Myoo’s mantra is long and difficult to say, so I tell you to stretch out da and ma.
If you are a beginner of reciting mantra, please try it.
The statue of Keika Ajari is also enshrined in the precincts. Keika Ajari and Keika Osyo is the same priest. Ajari and Osho are respectful titles for monks.
I really like Shouryu-ji Temple, so I decided to write this article in hopes of
being of some help to pilgrims.
Kochi sightseeing and travel that can only be found here