Why in News?
The Daishoin Temple complex is in the news because a devastating fire on May 20, 2026, completely destroyed its historic Reikado Hall, which housed Japan's 1,200-year-old "eternal flame."
Geography and Location
- Sacred Setting: The temple is situated at the base of Mount Misen, the tallest and holiest mountain on Miyajima Island (Itsukushima).
- Administrative Zone: It is located in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
- World Heritage Alignment: The temple complex falls directly within the protected UNESCO World Heritage Area of the famous Itsukushima Shrine.
History and Foundation
- The Founder: Daishoin (also known as Suisho-ji) was founded in the year 806 CE by KΕ«kai (historically known as Kobo Daishi), one of Japan's most revered religious figures and the pioneer of Shingon Buddhism.
- Imperial Connections: For centuries, the temple maintained close ties with the Japanese Imperial Family, historically serving as a principal place of prayer for emperors.
- Past Resilience: This is not the first tragedy for Reikado Hall; the wooden structure previously burned down in a fire in 2005 and was subsequently rebuilt using traditional methods.
The Legacy of the "Kiezu no Hi" (Unquenchable Fire)
- 1,200-Year Continuum: Tradition dictates that the sacred flame (Kiezu no Hi) was personally lit by Kukai in 806 CE during 100 days of intense ascetic training, burning continuously for over 12 centuries.
- Seed for Peace: The flame holds a monumental global legacy; it was directly used as the foundational source fire to ignite the "Flame of Peace" at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which honours the victims of the 1945 atomic bomb.
- The Miraculous Kettle: The flame was used to boil a giant iron tea kettle inside the hall; the water inside is spiritually believed by pilgrims to cure all ailments and diseases.
Notable Features of the Temple Complex
- Diverse Deities: Uniquely, the temple grounds host shrines dedicated to blended traditions, including Japanese Shinto-Buddhist entities as well as localized representations of Vedic/Hindu deities like Benzaiten (Saraswati), Kangiten (Ganesha), and Bishamonten (Kubera).
- The Henjokutsu Cave: A famous underground cave on the property houses 88 Buddhist icons representing all the stops on the historic Shikoku Pilgrimage, allowing devotees to complete the symbolic journey in a single room.
- Rakan Statues: The path leading up the temple stairs is lined with 500 unique stone statues of Shaka Nyorai's disciples (Arhats), each adorned with individual hand-knitted woollen hats and distinct facial expressions.
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