Description
Chion-in Temple is located in Kyoto, the old capital where Honen Shonin resided and founded Jodo Shu. It is considered to be Jodo Shu’s most dignified temple, with a front gate (Sanmon) in the largest class of wooden architecture. There are more than one hundred buildings, with many cultural assets, five national treasures including a portrait of Honen Shonin and other fine works of art glorifying the beautiful world of the Pure Land.
One of the seven mysteries of Chion-in Temple is its cloisters, which squeak like nightingales when people walk through (Uguisubari). The memorial service for Honen Shonin takes place every year between April 19-25, and there are many other annual Jodo Shu events which attract many visitors throughout the year.