Hokke Soji-in To-do (Stupa)
The Hokke Soji-in To-do (Stupa) is considered the most important part of the temple complex as conceived by Saicho (767–822), and occupies the highest elevation at Enryakuji. Saicho had planned to build six stupas throughout Japan, each containing a thousand copies of the Lotus Sutra, to protect the country through the Buddha Dharma. Positioned at the four cardinal directions, these were the Shimotsuke Stupa at Daiji-ji in Iwafune in Tochigi Prefecture to the north, the Buzen Stupa at Usa Shrine in Usa in Oita Prefecture to the south, the Ueno Stupa at Johoji in Onishi-machi in Gunma Prefecture to the east, and the Chikuzen Stupa at Kamado Shrine in Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture in the west.
The center of Japan would be protected by the Yamashiro Stupa, in the Saito (West tower) district of Mount Hiei, and the Omi Stupa at the Todo (East tower) district of Mount Hiei was planned as the fulcrum of the whole plan. Only the stupas at Shimotsuke and Ueno were completed during Saicho’s lifetime, and the plan was not completed until 110 years after Saicho’s death.
In 821, towards the end of Saicho’s life, the central pillar for this constellation of stupas was erected in the Todo district of Mount Hiei in memory of the Emperor Kanmu (736–806). Saicho’s disciple Ennin completed the building of the Lotus Soji-in.
This stupa was rebuilt in 1980. The main image is of the Buddha Dainichi Nyorai. A relic of the Buddha and copies of the Lotus Sutra are housed in the stupa’s upper level. Copies of the Lotus Sutra made by worshippers are also stored in this stupa.
S: Sanskrit
Hokke Soji-in (Lotus Attainment Temple)
Dainichi Nyorai (S Mahavairocana)