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Stone Torii Gate
Formerly made only of wood, the current version of this torii gate at Shitennōji Temple’s west entrance was constructed from stone in 1294. Torii are used to mark the boundary between a sacred space and the secular world at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The placement of this particular torii gate is revered not only as the western entrance to the temple but as the eastern entrance to the Pure Land paradise, which is said to be located to the west.
During repairs undertaken between 1997 and 1998, tokens of prayers to enter paradise, like locks of hair and wooden talismans, were found tucked into parts of the beams connecting the pillars. The plaque at the top of the gate declares that Shitennōji spreads the teachings of the Buddha and that this gate is the eastern entrance to the Pure Land. The plaque is shaped like a winnowing basket, signifying Amida Buddha’s desire to “scoop up” every faithful person who wishes to enter.
The torii gate was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1934. It attracts people who practice a meditation ritual called jissōkan, during which one pictures the Pure Land paradise while watching the sunset. It is especially popular to engage in this practice on the equinoxes, when the gate best frames the sunset.
During repairs undertaken between 1997 and 1998, tokens of prayers to enter paradise, like locks of hair and wooden talismans, were found tucked into parts of the beams connecting the pillars. The plaque at the top of the gate declares that Shitennōji spreads the teachings of the Buddha and that this gate is the eastern entrance to the Pure Land. The plaque is shaped like a winnowing basket, signifying Amida Buddha’s desire to “scoop up” every faithful person who wishes to enter.
The torii gate was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1934. It attracts people who practice a meditation ritual called jissōkan, during which one pictures the Pure Land paradise while watching the sunset. It is especially popular to engage in this practice on the equinoxes, when the gate best frames the sunset.