Heirin-ji

Temple bell at Heirinji

Heirin-ji (平林寺) is a Japanese Buddhist temple located in Niiza city on the outskirts of Tokyo. It is the largest Zen Buddhist temple from the Rinzai school in the Kanto area. The temple was built in 1375 by Sekishitsu Zenkyu, the founder of other temples including Shofuku-ji, Engaku-ji and Tenryu-jiLike many other Zen temples the principal buildings are arranged in a straight line.

Heirinji differs from many other temples in the Tokyo area in the lack of a temple market. Also there are no public festivals held at the temple. Rather the temple remains a training ground for monks. The monks can often be seen working in the grounds.

The grounds of the temple preserve a stretch of the Musashino woodlands. Many creatures, such as Raccoon Dogs that are now not often seen in the city are found here. The grounds also provide a roost for a large colony of Jungle Crows.

The gardens are notable for the maple trees in autumn and the Ume blossoms in early spring. The bell, with the Ume blossom was the inspiration for one of Toshi Yoshida's wood block prints.

• 
  Outer gate of Heirinji.
• 
  Nio, a temple guardian.
• 
  Nio, a temple guardian.
• 
  The thatched inner gate.
• 
  The temple bell.
• 
  A statue of Kannon a goddess of mercy.
• 
  Maple tree in autumn at Heirinji

External Link

• Yoshida print

References

• Travel feature