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Saikyoji Temple

Saikyoji Temple is located at the foot of Mt. Hiei, overlooking Lake Biwa. Reputedly built in the seventh century by Prince Shotoku (574–622), the temple is closely associated with the priest Shinsei (1443–1495), founder of the Shinsei sect of the Tendai school of Buddhism.

Shinsei made Saikyoji a place to practice fudan nenbutsu, which is the continuous recitation of the words namu amida butsu (the name of the Amida Buddha). Every time the words have been uttered 10 times, a bell is rung. The monks of Saikyoji still take turns practicing fudan nenbutsu in the main hall (hondo) as a means of achieving enlightenment, although it is no longer done through the night.

All of the temple’s current structures were erected after 1571, when Saikyoji was burned down by the warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582). Nobunaga sought to unify all of Japan under his rule and destroyed many politically powerful temples that opposed him. In the case of Saikyoji, however, Nobunaga’s vassal Akechi Mitsuhide (1526–1582) arranged for its early reconstruction. Mitsuhide was a patron of the temple, and he and his wife are buried on its grounds. The temple also possesses a document signed by Mitsuhide.

The current main hall building was built in 1739 entirely from zelkova wood without using any other materials, including nails. It is designated an Important Cultural Property. Inside, a 2.7-meter statue of the Amida Buddha from the Heian period (794–1185) dominates the interior, while the front transom has 16 wooden carvings of the historical Buddha’s disciples with eyes of inlaid crystal. The constant chanting and bell ringing give the building an otherworldly feel. There is also a mischievous monkey statue that is a tribute to the native monkeys of Mt. Hiei, believed to be protectors of the temple.

Beside the main hall is the large guest hall (kyakuden), which was moved from Fushimi Castle in Kyoto and is designated an Important Cultural Property. The guest hall has five rooms, each with different paintings on the sliding panels and walls. The paintings were produced by artists of the famous Kano school, possibly by master artist Kano Eitoku (1543–1590).

The guest hall also has a traditional garden dating back to the seventeenth century that uses the surrounding mountain as part of the landscape. It has a pond shaped like Lake Biwa and the ground around it is shaped like Shiga Prefecture. The best views of the real Lake Biwa are framed by the decorative Karamon Gate in front of the founder’s hall, which enshrines the founding priest Shinsei. The temple’s main approach is lined with maple trees, cherry blossoms, and azaleas, and is filled with color in spring and autumn.

西教寺

西教寺位於比睿山腳下俯瞰琵琶湖，據說是聖德太子（574-622）於西元7世紀建造，與佛教天台宗真盛派創始人真盛（1443-1495）有著密不可分的關聯。

真盛把西教寺變成了修習「不斷念佛」的道場，即不斷念誦「南無阿彌陀佛」，每念10遍就敲一次「鉦吾」（日本念佛時敲擊的法器）。今日，西教寺的僧人依然在本堂（正殿）輪流修習不斷念佛來獲得開悟，只是已不再通宵達旦。

1571年，戰國梟雄織田信長（1534-1582）燒毀了西教寺，所以寺廟現存所有建築都是在那之後重建的。織田信長試圖在其統治期間統一全日本，於是摧毀了許多政治力量強大並且反對他的寺廟。不過，西教寺的早期重建卻是由織田信長的家臣明智光秀（1526-1582）籌措，西教寺因此成為了明智光秀家的菩提寺（安葬並祭祀祖先的家廟），他和妻子都被安葬於此，寺廟還存有一份光秀的親筆捐贈書。

如今的本堂建造於1739年，是國家指定重要文化財產。本堂完全採用櫸木建造，未使用任何其他材料，哪怕是一根釘子。2.7公尺高的平安時代（794-1185）阿彌陀佛像是堂內的主角，前梁上是佛陀十六大弟子的木雕，眼睛均以水晶嵌製而成。誦經鉦吾之聲不絕，為這座建築帶來了超脫凡塵俗世之感。寺內還有一尊模樣調皮的猴子雕像，是為向比睿山的野猴表示敬意而建，傳說牠們是這座寺廟的守護者。

本堂旁邊是一個大型客殿，是從京都伏見城遷來，同樣被指定為國家重要文化財產。客殿有5個房間，障子門和牆上的各幅畫作均由著名的狩野派藝術家創作，或許出自藝術大師狩野永德（1543-1590）的手筆。

客殿旁有一座建於17世紀的傳統庭園，借周圍山巒為景。庭園裡有一個形似琵琶湖的池塘，池邊土地代表湖泊南岸一帶，也就是今天的滋賀縣。宗祖大師殿供奉寺院創始人真盛，透過堂外裝飾性的唐門，可以看到真正的琵琶湖美景。西教寺的參道（神社或寺廟門前供參拜者行走的道路）邊有楓樹、櫻花和杜鵑花，春秋兩季尤為斑斕。

西教寺

西教寺位于比睿山脚下，俯瞰琵琶湖，据说是圣德太子(574-622)于公元7世纪建造，与佛教天台宗真盛派创始人真盛(1443-1495)有着密不可分的关联。

真盛把西教寺变成了修习“不断念佛”的道场，即不断念诵“南无阿弥陀佛”，每念10遍就敲一次“钲吾”（日本念佛时敲击的法器）。今天，西教寺的僧人依然在本堂（正殿）轮流修习不断念佛来获得开悟，只是已不再通宵达旦。

1571年，战国枭雄织田信长(1534-1582)烧毁了西教寺，寺庙现存所有建筑均于之后重建。织田信长试图在其统治期间统一全日本，故摧毁了许多政治力量强大并且反对他的寺庙。不过，西教寺的早期重建却是由织田信长的家臣明智光秀(1526-1582)筹措，西教寺因此成为了明智光秀家的菩提寺（安葬并祭祀祖先的家庙），他和妻子都被安葬于此，寺庙还存有一份明智光秀的亲笔捐赠书。

如今的本堂建造于1739年，是国家指定重要文化财产。本堂完全采用榉木建造，未使用任何其他材料，哪怕是钉子。2.7米高的平安时代(794-1185)阿弥陀佛像是堂内的主角，前梁上是佛陀十六大弟子的木雕，眼睛均以水晶嵌制而成。诵经钲吾之声不绝，为这座建筑带来了超脱凡尘俗世之感。寺内还有一尊模样调皮的猴子雕像，是为向比睿山的野猴表示敬意而建，传说它们是这座寺庙的守护者。

本堂旁边是一个大型客殿，从京都伏见城迁来，同样被指定为国家重要文化财产。客殿有5个房间，障子门和墙上的各幅画作均由著名的狩野派艺术家创作，也有可能就是出自艺术大师狩野永德(1543-1590)的亲笔。

客殿外有一座建于17世纪的传统庭园，借周围山峦为景。庭园里有一个形似琵琶湖的池塘，池边土地代表湖泊南岸一带，也就是今天的滋贺县。宗祖大師殿供奉寺院创始人真盛，透过堂外装饰性的唐门，可以看到真正的琵琶湖美景。西教寺的参道（神社或寺庙门前供参拜者行走的道路）边有枫树、樱花和杜鹃花，春秋两季尤为斑斓。