List of exhibits at the 22nd Great Treasure House Exhibition "Danjo Garan and Okunoin"
July 20, 2001～October 4
Greetings
It goes without saying that Kobo Daishi Kukai, affectionately known by many as "Odaishi-sama," was not only the founder of Shingon Buddhism, but also a person who provided timeless suggestions, principles, and ideas to all areas of human existence, both material and spiritual.
In terms of literature, he wrote Japan's first literary critique, Bunkyo Hifuron, and Japan's oldest dictionary, Mogli Bansho Mingyi, and was also a talented calligrapher who is considered the greatest of Japan's three great calligraphers.
The main purpose of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by the Great Master is to protect the nation and benefit people. The "Go Nanatsuka Goshuho" (After Seven Days of Religion), a prayer for national peace by imperial sanction of Emperor Saga, has been passed down to the present day and is practiced at the Konpon Dojo Toji Temple in Kyoto.
In terms of literature, he wrote Japan's first literary critique, Bunkyo Hifuron, and Japan's oldest dictionary, Mogli Bansho Mingyi, and was also a talented calligrapher who is considered the greatest of Japan's three great calligraphers.
The main purpose of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by the Great Master is to protect the nation and benefit people. The "Go Nanatsuka Goshuho" (After Seven Days of Religion), a prayer for national peace by imperial sanction of Emperor Saga, has been passed down to the present day and is practiced at the Konpon Dojo Toji Temple in Kyoto.
The story of how he saved the people from drought by praying for rain at Shinsen-en is still told today. The "repair work on Mannoike Pond" to save Shikoku from water scarcity is still in good condition today as an artificial dam, and there are countless examples of how Daishi saved the people.
The compassionate bodhisattva actions of the Master, who worked with the desire for people's happiness, continue to live on strongly in the hearts of the people of Japan.
We are extremely pleased that Mount Koya, which was founded by Daishi, has been included on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites under the name "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." This is truly the first step in helping people around the world understand the religious spirit of our founder, Daishi.
Since its founding by Kobo Daishi in the 7th year of the Kōnin era (816), Mount Koya has been a sacred mountain that continues to capture the hearts of people today as a holy mountain of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism and a sacred place longed for by those who admire Kobo Daishi.
We are extremely pleased that Mount Koya, which was founded by Daishi, has been included on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites under the name "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." This is truly the first step in helping people around the world understand the religious spirit of our founder, Daishi.
Since its founding by Kobo Daishi in the 7th year of the Kōnin era (816), Mount Koya has been a sacred mountain that continues to capture the hearts of people today as a holy mountain of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism and a sacred place longed for by those who admire Kobo Daishi.
Mount Koya has two major sacred areas, Danjo Garan and Okunoin, which have been protected by people since ancient times.
The temple is the world's first full-scale esoteric Buddhist temple, founded by the Great Master, and is an important sacred place for esoteric Buddhist monks to study and train.
Okunoin is also a sacred place created by people who admired the Great Master, who entered nirvana at Mount Koya in Jowa 2 (836).
It is no exaggeration to say that there is no other sacred site in all of Japan that combines such dual nature.
This exhibition commemorates Mount Koya's inclusion on the tentative list of World Heritage sites for the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." It publicly displays national treasures and cultural properties related to the two major sacred areas of Mount Koya, Danjo Garan and Okunoin, which have been protected throughout the long history of the mountain, and introduces the religious culture that Mount Koya played in shaping Japan's religious culture.
We hope that you will take this opportunity to experience a part of the sacred site of Mount Koya, which was founded by our sect founder, Kobo Daishi, and which has been so beloved by many people, through the treasure cultural properties on display.
Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Wakayama Prefecture and the Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education for their sponsorship in holding this exhibition.
This exhibition commemorates Mount Koya's inclusion on the tentative list of World Heritage sites for the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." It publicly displays national treasures and cultural properties related to the two major sacred areas of Mount Koya, Danjo Garan and Okunoin, which have been protected throughout the long history of the mountain, and introduces the religious culture that Mount Koya played in shaping Japan's religious culture.
We hope that you will take this opportunity to experience a part of the sacred site of Mount Koya, which was founded by our sect founder, Kobo Daishi, and which has been so beloved by many people, through the treasure cultural properties on display.
Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Wakayama Prefecture and the Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education for their sponsorship in holding this exhibition.
July 20, 2001 Koyasan Cultural Property Preservation Association Chief Director Masamichi Habukawa
On publishing the catalogue for "Danjo Garan and Okunoin"
In Konin 7 (816), Kobo Daishi Kukai was bestowed Mount Koya by Emperor Saga as the main training center for Esoteric Shingon Buddhism. His intention was to build a large pagoda and other temple buildings based on the teachings of Esoteric Buddhism on the platform.
There are many buildings here, including the Great Pagoda, the Golden Hall, and the Miedo Hall, but the central structure is the Great Pagoda. This was the first esoteric Buddhist tower built in Japan, and five Buddhas are enshrined there, including the Vairocana of the Garbha Realm.
The inside of this tower is the Pure Land of Mahavairocana, and it is said that anyone who visits here will be guided by the Buddha to attain Buddhahood in this very body.
In the 1200 years since its founding, the temple has suffered several disasters, including fires caused by lightning, but our predecessors at Mount Koya have worked tirelessly to protect it, and it has survived to this day.
Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, who continues to save people to this day.
In the 1200 years since its founding, the temple has suffered several disasters, including fires caused by lightning, but our predecessors at Mount Koya have worked tirelessly to protect it, and it has survived to this day.
Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, who continues to save people to this day.
A huge graveyard unfolds around this spot, containing the gravestones of 110 early modern feudal lords, memorial towers for famous people in history, and an endless number of one-koku five-ring offerings made by commoners.
In addition, in the lantern hall, the two everlasting flames of Inika and Shirakawa, as well as over 20,000 lanterns, create a world of light that is the most beautiful in Japan. These two altars are the most important sacred places in Mount Koya.
This year, our Mount Koya was provisionally registered as a World Heritage Site as "The Kii Mountain Range and the Pilgrimage Routes of Koya and Kumano," which can be considered the result of the hard work of the Great Master and other predecessors.
The treasures related to these two altars will be held as the "22nd Koyasan Great Treasure House Exhibition," and it is our sincere hope that this special exhibition will help drive the registration of Sacred Mount Koya as a World Heritage Site.
In addition, in the lantern hall, the two everlasting flames of Inika and Shirakawa, as well as over 20,000 lanterns, create a world of light that is the most beautiful in Japan. These two altars are the most important sacred places in Mount Koya.
This year, our Mount Koya was provisionally registered as a World Heritage Site as "The Kii Mountain Range and the Pilgrimage Routes of Koya and Kumano," which can be considered the result of the hard work of the Great Master and other predecessors.
The treasures related to these two altars will be held as the "22nd Koyasan Great Treasure House Exhibition," and it is our sincere hope that this special exhibition will help drive the registration of Sacred Mount Koya as a World Heritage Site.
July 20, 2001 Director of Koyasan Reihokan Museum Mitsunori Nagasawa