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Amida Temple and Tanzei Shonin Mausoleum

Amida Temple, at the north end of Ohara, was established in 1609 by Tanzei Shonin (1552–1613), an ascetic Buddhist priest who founded his own sect of Pure Land Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism focuses on salvation through faith in Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Limitless Light. Originally from what is now Aichi Prefecture, Tanzei is famous for welcoming even the lowest classes to his teachings, including miners and others whose work was considered or unclean. He is renowned for copying out the Buddha’s name four million times and distributing it to his followers.

Tanzei later instructed his disciples to excavate a cave in the mountainside behind the temple, and then construct a stone mausoleum within. In 1613, at the age of 62, he entered the cave to pray and fast. At his request, his disciples closed him in, leaving just a few air holes. Three days later, when they could no longer hear Tanzei chanting sutras, they sealed the tomb completely.

The practice of Buddhist priests enduring harsh conditions up to the moment of death while praying for the salvation of all is known as sokushinbutsu, or becoming a Buddha within one’s own body. Tanzei believed his actions would ensure the salvation of all those who would later come to worship at his tomb.

There were plans during the Meiji era (1868–1912) to place Tanzei’s remains in a grave. When the chamber was opened, however, the remains were found to be perfectly mummified, so it was decided to inter the body in a new mausoleum instead. This new tomb, a cube of stone measuring approximately 1.5 square meters, remains in the cave for people to visit and offer prayers.

阿彌陀寺與彈誓上人廟

阿彌陀寺坐落在大原北部，於1609年由曾創立淨土宗中一個獨立宗派的修行僧——彈誓上人（1552-1613）創建。淨土宗信奉阿彌陀佛（無量光佛），以普渡眾生為核心教義。彈誓出生於現在的愛知縣，因親自向底層民眾（如礦工或卑賤污穢行業的從業者）傳授教義而聞名。彈誓廣為人知，還因他曾親手製作400萬份寫有阿彌陀佛的護身符分發給信眾。

之後，彈誓吩咐其弟子在阿彌陀寺背後的山腰處鑿洞建廟。1613年，62歲的彈誓獨自進入洞穴，開始祈禱、絕食。弟子們遵從他的意願，將他封關於石墓中，僅留少量氣孔。三日之後，弟子們聽不見彈誓的誦經聲，便封死了墓穴。

彈誓以普渡眾生為念艱苦修行，在祈禱中圓寂，成為「即身佛」。他堅信自己的行為一定會救贖日後到其墓前參拜的人。

明治時代（1868-1912），曾規劃將彈誓的遺骸移葬墳墓。但打開廟洞后，發現其遺體已完全木乃伊化，於是決定將其遺體安置於新的靈墓中。新墓為邊長約1.5公尺的方形石棺，與之前一樣被安置在洞穴中供人們參拜。

阿弥陀寺与弹誓上人庙

阿弥陀寺坐落在大原北部，于1609年由曾开创净土宗中一个独立宗派的修行僧——弹誓上人（1552-1613）创建。净土宗信奉阿弥陀如来佛（无量光佛），以普济众生为核心教义。弹誓出生于现在的爱知县，因亲自向底层民众（如矿工或卑贱污秽行业的从业者）积极传授教义而闻名。他还亲手制作了400万份写有阿弥陀佛名字的护身符分发给信众，此举也使他的名号广为流传。

之后，弹誓吩咐其弟子在阿弥陀寺背后的山腰处凿洞建庙。1613年，62岁的弹誓独自进入洞穴，开始了祈祷与绝食。弟子们遵从他的意愿，封闭石墓，仅留少量气孔。三日之后，弟子们见弹誓的诵经声已绝，便封死了墓穴。

弹誓以普度众生为念艰苦修行，在祈祷中圆寂，成为“即身佛”。他坚信，自己的行为一定会为日后到其墓前参拜的人带去救赎。

明治时代（1868-1912），曾规划将弹誓的遗骸移葬坟墓。但打开庙洞后，发现其遗体已完全木乃伊化，于是决定将其遗体安置于新的灵墓中。新墓为边长约1.5米的方形石棺，与之前一样被安置在洞穴中供人们参拜。