Yamagami Fudo-do Temple

It is a hall which Chisho Daishi Enchin, the restorer of Miidera Temple, founded during the Gangyo Era [877–885]. Officially, it is called Yamagami Namikiri Fudo-son, and its principal image is a carved Buddha on a rock face placed discreetly at the back of the temple. This carved Buddha is extremely old and “the year 1242” is engraved.
Yamagami Fudo-do Temple was repeatedly set on fire due to the difference in the way of passing down Buddhist teaching from that of Hieizan Enryakuji Temple. Especially, the aftermath of the fire in March 21, 1242 was devastating; at least 1,000 houses were reportedly burned down in a temple town of Miidera. To pray for the victims’ souls to rest in peace, a big rock was engraved to make a carved Buddha and was consecrated on August 28 in the same year. A grand memorial service is held every year on August 28, where monks from Miidera Temple comes to join the service as officiating priest dressed as mountain priests. 

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