When a Buddhist priest Rigen-Daishi Shobo climbed a 450m-high hill, that is now called Daigo-yama or Mt. Daigo, in the year 874, the god of the hill appeared and drank water from a well then said Daigomi naru kana! that means It has the ultimate taste! Shobo drank same water and got inspiration so that he built a hermitage on the top of the hill and placed a couple of Kannon statues in it. This is what the tradition says as the origin of Daigo-ji temple. Daigomi literary means taste of Daigo, the ultimate essence of milk. As a Buddhist term, it means ultimate teaching. As a modern Japanese word, it means real enjoyment. The temples name, Daigo, is a Buddhist term meaning the finest thing in this world. Emperor Daigo was named after the temple Daigo-ji Temple is a vast Shingon Buddhist complex in south-eastern Kyōto. The 38m-tall pagoda was built in 951 and is the oldest building in Kyōto. The gardens of Daigo-ji are reputed for their autumn colours, but are especially famous as a place for cherry blossoms viewing (hanami). The gardens were expressedly built for Toyotomi Hideyoshis famous hanami party of 1598, and the event is now commemorated in the annual Hideyoshi Hanami Parade on the second Sunday in April. History The temple was founded in 874 when Shōbō (a.k.a. Rigen-daishi) built a hermitage dedicated to Kannon (Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit), the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. A well was discovered nearby, which water was said to have medicinal powers. As a result, in 907, Emperor Daigo ordered the construction of hall in honour to Yakushi Nyorai, the Healing Buddha. On 16 October 930 the emperor fell ill and abdicated. One week later he entered the Buddhist priesthood, but (ironically for a temple he had dedicated to the Healing Buddha) died shortly after the same day. He was buried on the precincts of Daigo-ji, and received his posthumous name after the temples name (his real name was Atsuhito).
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 04:50:44 +0000