地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Sutra Repository

The Sutra Repository stores 768 sacred texts, but it is unlike any standard library. The building houses an eight-sided rotating structure with 96 drawers on each side. This is a reference to the Buddhist view of the natural order of things being like “the turning of the wheel of the law”—the “law” referred to being the words preached by Shakyamuni Buddha during his lifetime and recorded in sacred texts. Indeed, the structure in which the texts are stored in the Sutra Repository allows for a literal “turning of wheel of the law.” Physically rotating the structure is believed to generate good karma for the turner, increasing their chances of escaping the endless cycles of earthly rebirth in the next life.

The storage structure appears to have been turned little over the years, however, and the repository as a whole may seem slightly different from the rest of Ninnaji’s architecture. The building was constructed in the Edo period (1603–1868), when Zen Buddhism enjoyed widespread popularity. While Ninnaji has never been a Zen temple, the influence of Zen architecture can clearly be seen in this Shingon-school building.

經藏（重要文化財）

收藏768個佛經收納箱的藏經閣（日語稱為經藏）與一般書閣不同。其當中設有一台八角形旋轉書架，且8面各有96層抽屜。此外觀不只是依循佛教自然界法則「法輪常轉」（「法」即是釋迦牟尼生前所言，意為經典記述的教誨）的理念設計，實際上藏經閣書架由於收藏佛經，也能如字面意思般展現「法輪常轉」。據說轉動書架者可造善業，更有可能在來生超脫生死輪迴，達到真正解脫。

然而，近年來藏經閣書架卻無轉動的痕跡。另外，藏經閣於禪宗廣受青睞的江戶時代（1603-1868）所建，其整體風格與仁和寺其他建築也略有不同。隸屬真言宗的仁和寺從非禪寺，卻因禪宗盛行，不難看出寺院風格亦深受其影響。

经藏（重要文化财）

收藏768个佛经收纳箱的藏经阁（日语称为经藏）与一般书阁不尽相似，其内设有一台八角形旋转书架，且8面各有96层抽屉。此外观不只是依循佛教自然界法则“法轮常转”（“法”即是释迦牟尼生前所言，意为经典记述的教诲）的理念设计，实际上由于藏经阁书架收藏佛经，也能如字面意思般展现“法之回转”。据说转动书架者可造善业，更有可能在来生超脱生死轮回，真正得以解脱。

然而，近年来藏经阁书架却无任何转动的痕迹。另外，藏经阁建于禅宗广受青睐的江户时代（1603-1868），整体风格与仁和寺其他建筑略有不同。隶属真言宗的仁和寺并非禅寺，却因禅宗盛行，不难看出寺院风格亦深受其影响。