History of Daijoji Temple
Tokyozan Daijoji Temple was called Shojurin long ago, and then Kinshiho later on. The temple was founded by Zen master Tettsu Gikai (1219-1309), the third head of Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism in Fukui Prefecture.
Tettsu Gikai taught the teachings of his master Dogen (1200-1253) while maintaining the scholarly path of poverty.
Later traveling to China to visit various temples, he compiled the "Gozan Jissatsu-zu" (Former National Treasure, now Important Cultural Property).
Upon returning, he restored the buildings and rules of Eiheiji Temple, earning him the title of Restorer of Eiheiji. The 700th memorial service was held in 2008. Daijoji is also one of the four principal affiliated temples (shimonshu) of Eiheiji.
Tettsu Gikai later moved to Kaga, and under the patronage of the Togashi clan, he founded Daijoji Temple in Nonoichi. This is estimated to have happened in 1289.
Among his disciples was Keizan Jokin (1268-1325), who became the second head of Daijoji and went on to establish Yokoji Temple in Hakui and then the main temple Sojiji, creating the foundation for Soto Zen, which now has the largest number of temples in Japan.
He is revered as Taiso (Great Ancestor) alongside Dogen Zenji, who is called Koso (High Ancestor).
Thus, Daijoji Temple shares a special history with both Eiheiji and Sojiji Temples. About 300 years ago during the Edo period, under the patronage of the Honda family (senior retainers of the Kaga domain), the temple was moved to its current location.
The 26th head Gesshu Soko and the 27th head Manzan Dohaku served while honoring the ancient traditions of Dogen, establishing proper regulations, and spreading the name "Kiku Daijo" (Regulations of Daijo) throughout the land, earning the temple a reputation as a strict Zen training monastery.
The temple complex of Daijoji represents a typical seven-hall layout of Japanese Zen architecture, particularly Soto temple architecture. The Buddha Hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, while other buildings are designated as prefectural and municipal tangible cultural properties.
Tettsu Gikai taught the teachings of his master Dogen (1200-1253) while maintaining the scholarly path of poverty.
Later traveling to China to visit various temples, he compiled the "Gozan Jissatsu-zu" (Former National Treasure, now Important Cultural Property).
Upon returning, he restored the buildings and rules of Eiheiji Temple, earning him the title of Restorer of Eiheiji. The 700th memorial service was held in 2008. Daijoji is also one of the four principal affiliated temples (shimonshu) of Eiheiji.
Tettsu Gikai later moved to Kaga, and under the patronage of the Togashi clan, he founded Daijoji Temple in Nonoichi. This is estimated to have happened in 1289.
Among his disciples was Keizan Jokin (1268-1325), who became the second head of Daijoji and went on to establish Yokoji Temple in Hakui and then the main temple Sojiji, creating the foundation for Soto Zen, which now has the largest number of temples in Japan.
He is revered as Taiso (Great Ancestor) alongside Dogen Zenji, who is called Koso (High Ancestor).
Thus, Daijoji Temple shares a special history with both Eiheiji and Sojiji Temples. About 300 years ago during the Edo period, under the patronage of the Honda family (senior retainers of the Kaga domain), the temple was moved to its current location.
The 26th head Gesshu Soko and the 27th head Manzan Dohaku served while honoring the ancient traditions of Dogen, establishing proper regulations, and spreading the name "Kiku Daijo" (Regulations of Daijo) throughout the land, earning the temple a reputation as a strict Zen training monastery.
The temple complex of Daijoji represents a typical seven-hall layout of Japanese Zen architecture, particularly Soto temple architecture. The Buddha Hall is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, while other buildings are designated as prefectural and municipal tangible cultural properties.
