JTA Sightseeing Database

Select a language

  • HOME
  • Daiko-do (Important Cultural Property)

Title Daiko-do (Important Cultural Property)

  • Shiga
Topic(s)：
Historic Sites/Castle Ruins Shrines/Temples/Churches Public Works & Institutions (Museums, etc.)
Medium/Media of Use：
Interpretive Sign
Text Length：
251-500
FY Prepared：
2018
Associated Tourism Board：
Hieizan Enryakuji
Associated Address：
4220 Sakamotohommachi, Otsu-shi , Shiga

最澄入寂後、天長元年（８２４）に最澄の高弟の義真（ぎしん　７８１－８３３）によって創建される。当初は戒壇受戒の際の勅使の宿所などとして用いられた戒壇院の付属建物であった。後には、僧侶の学問研鑽のための道場として発展した。良源（りょうげん　９１２－９８５）がはじめた「法華大会広学竪義（ほっけだいえこうがくりゅうぎ）」や、最澄がはじめた「天台会法華十講（てんだいえほっけじゅっこう）」が行われている。また、「涅槃会（ねはんえ）」や「伝教大師御影供（でんぎょうだいしみえく）」などの論議法要も行われる。現在もここで四年に一度、一人前の天台僧になるための重要な儀式である「法華大会広学竪義」が行われている。

本尊は最高仏として信仰されている大日如来。比叡山は天台教学に加え、禅、念仏、密教と四つの教えを学ぶ、四宗兼学の修行道場である。密教は「秘密の教え」による儀式と瞑想を通じて修行者に悟りと地上の楽園への道を示すものである。大講堂内にはこの比叡山で修学修行にはげみ新たな宗派を開いた、各宗の宗祖像が祀られている。比叡山が日本仏教の母山とよばれるゆえんでもある。


新たな宗派とその宗祖

円珍（えんちん　８１４－８９１）　天台寺門宗の宗祖

良忍（りょうにん　１０７２－１１３２）　融通念仏宗の宗祖

法然（ほうねん　１１３３－１２１２）　浄土宗の宗祖

栄西（えいさい　１１４１－１２１５）　臨済宗の宗祖

親鸞（しんらん　１１７３－１２６２）　浄土真宗の宗祖

道元（どうげん　１２００－１２５３）　曹洞宗の宗祖

日蓮（にちれん　１２２２－１２８２）　日蓮宗の宗祖

一遍（いっぺん　１２３９－１２８９）　時宗の宗祖

真盛（しんせい　１４４３－１４９５）　天台真盛宗の宗祖


Daiko-do (Important Cultural Property)


The Daiko-do was constructed after Saicho’s death by his senior disciple Gishin (781–833) and completed in 824. Initially, the building was an annex to the Precepts Platform that was used as accommodation by the imperial envoy during ordination ceremonies. Later, it became a center of academic study for monks. The Lotus Ceremony for Broad Learning introduced by Ryogen (912–985) and the Tendai Assembly for Ten Lotus Lectures introduced by Saicho are performed in the Hall. Rituals and debates, such as the Nirvana Assembly and the Memorial Service for Dengyo Daishi Saicho, are performed here. Every four years, the hall is used for the Lotus Ceremony for Broad Learning, an important rite of passage required to become a fully-fledged Tendai monk.


The central image is Dainichi Nyorai, the Great Sun Buddha, worshipped as the supreme, primordial sun Buddha. Mount Hiei is a training monastery for the study and practice of four types of Buddhism: the teachings of Tendai Buddhism, Zen meditation, Nenbutsu chanting of the name of the Buddha, and Esoteric Buddhism. Esoteric Buddhism through “concealed teachings” offers Buddhahood and paradise on earth to the initiate through ritual practice and the contemplation of sacred images. The Daiko-do enshrines images of many who studied and practiced on Mount Hiei and went on to found new schools of Buddhism, which is why Mount Hiei is often called the mother of Japanese Buddhism.


New Schools and Their Founders

Enchin (814–891), founder of the Jimon branch of Tendai

Ryonin (1072–1132), founder of the Yuzu Nenbutsu school

Honen (1133–1212), founder of the Jodo school of Pure Land Buddhism

Eisai (1141–1215), founder of the Rinzai Zen school

Shinran (1173–1262), founder of the Jodo Shinshu school of Pure Land Buddhism

Dogen (1200–1253), founder of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism

Nichiren (1222–1812), founder of the Nichiren school

Ippen (1239–1289), founder of the Ji school of Pure Land Buddhism

Shinsei (1443–1495), founder of the Shinsei branch of Tendai


Search