Ryusenji Temple, located in Suginami-ku, Tokyo, it used to be one of the most famous places in Suginami
where cherry blossoms reflected in the clear flowing waters of Tamagawa-josui which flows in front of the
gate during spring and where fireflies fly in June.
When fireflies were flying around in June, the temple was one of the most famous places in Suginami.
Today, the sky is still wide open as if to remind us of this, and cherry blossoms welcome you in the
spring.
Please spend a moment in this refreshing cozy space.
About red seals Red Ink Stamp
Ryuusenji Temple does not provide red seals.
Thank you for understanding.
1 Statue of Kanzeon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara-bodhisattva) sits in front of the gate of Ryusenji Temple
The statue of Sei Kannon Bosatsus in front of the gate of Ryusenji Temple was erected on January 1, 2023 to pray for the safety of traffic on the Koshu Highway, the safety of residents, the safety of visitors, and to honor those who died in the Tamagawa River before it became Tamagawa Josui Park.
2 Four-faced superior karma Bodhisattva and Shoenseki
The "Four-faced superior karma Bodhisattva" and the "Shoenseki" were built at the request of the 24th abbot of Ryusenji Temple, and a ceremony was held on the auspicious day of December 2022 to consecrate the statue and the stone.
The term "Sho-en" does not mean "winning" or "losing," but rather "creating a superior karma (Sho-en).
It can also be said that it means to erase bad karma (erase karma), to enhance and elevate karma (elevate
karma), and to invite in "winning" karma (invite karma).
In a word, the teachings of the founder of Buddhism, the Great Teacher Shakyamuni Buddha (Shakyamuni), are
about pursuing "how to live better in the present moment. However, a better life cannot be lived alone.
Sometimes we laugh with joy, sometimes we endure, sometimes we cry and grieve, and we pursue a better life
by relating to and living in harmony with others.
However, "living better" does not mean "living comfortably. As we live, we may experience hardships.
Sometimes these hardships can be heartbreaking, and sometimes they can be sobering. Bad karma, bad habits,
illnesses, etc. are often things that we cannot resolve on our own. Sometimes we need a little trigger to
change such negative feelings inherent in us and turn them toward the positive.
Please throw a ball with your own negative feelings onto this "Kachoen-ishi" and break it with your
feelings.
It will break the bad karma and bring you out of your shell, giving you a chance to take a step forward to a
better life, and will create and connect you with a winning and good karma.
ball of bad luck
It contains a four-faceted Bodhisattva protection charm.
Please take the Bodhisattva charm after breaking the ball.
ball of great misfortune.
It contains a certificate of karma from Ryusenji Temple.
Please break the ball and then take the certificate of karma.
What is the Standing Statue of Four-faced Bodhisattva of Victory?
A bodhisattva who watches over the wishes of those who break a bad luck ball from all directions.
Front view of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (lotus)
The Bodhisattva who, with a compassionate heart, observes and relieves the suffering of people with sound.
Back side of Bodhisattva Kokuzo (Nyoi Bouzu)
With the light of compassion, he provides relief from troubles and sufferings and fulfills all desires.
Fugen Gyo Bosatsu (scripture) right side
Appearing everywhere to teach, guide and save, and show us the great path.
Great Seishi Bodhisattva (left side)
Enveloping us with the light of wisdom, he relieves us by removing our worries and suffering.
How to visit the Katsurenishi
You can turn the statue of Katsurin Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Victory) by hand from its pedestal in a circular motion. If you have time, please make a clockwise turn and then throw a ball into the stone.
一 Turn a pedestal
The statue of Katsurin Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Victory) is on the right side of the Katsurin
Stone.
It makes a clockwise turn from the pedestal.
二 Throw and break the ball
After blowing into the ball the karma you wish to sever (putting your feelings into the ball), throw it toward the katsuen-ishi (stone of victory) and break it open to bring about a new good marriage.
三 Bow with palms together
Bow at the end of the ceremony as a sign of gratitude for the merit you have been allowed to accumulate by visiting the shrine.
3 Kitamuki-jizo
The Kitamukai Jizo, which has been believed in by the common people since the Edo period, is enshrined
within the precincts of Ryusenji Temple.
This Jizo is said to be very efficacious against fevers and other illnesses, and during the Edo period, when
Ryusenji Temple was located in Yotsuya, the temple was crowded with people who came to pray to the Jizo
every day.
Even today, there are people who visit the temple to pray for the health of their families.
In general, Buddhist statues are not placed facing north, but in the old days, there was no special remedy
to cure fever, and the Jizo-sama always faced north and received the cold north wind on his forehead, which
must have reminded people of the figure of a sick person in those days.
Please visit the shrine to pray for the health of your family and the earnest wishes of the common people of
that time.
4 Oriental Zodiac Jizo
The zodiac Jizo was built in 2003 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Ryusenji Temple,
at the request of the 23rd abbot of the temple, Ryusei Junji.
The zodiac signs of the Chinese zodiac are very familiar to the Japanese people, as the Chinese brought the
idea of the Chinese zodiac to Japan.
Jizo Bodhisattva is said to be the savior of sentient beings who takes their suffering and tries to fulfill
their wishes on their behalf.
The Chinese zodiac was invented more than 3,000 years ago, around the 15th century B.C., by the Shang
Dynasty in China as a way of ordering time and space based on the movements of the stars in the sky.
The twelve signs called the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, which originally represented the twelve
stages of plant growth, such as development, flourishing, and maturity, and divided the year into twelve
seasons, were used either singly or in combination to represent the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac. The
twelve zodiac signs, either singly or in combination, represent the date, year, month, time, and direction
of the year, and the combination of the ten zodiac signs and the twelve zodiac signs is called the Chinese
zodiac.
The zodiac signs were introduced to Japan around the 6th century, around the same time as the introduction
of Buddhism.
※ It has long been a custom to display ornaments in the shape of each of the twelve animals of the Chinese
zodiac as a good-luck talisman for the year ahead and to ward off bad luck.
※ When a person reaches the age of 60, the decimal system of the 10 signs of the zodiac and the 12 signs of
the Chinese zodiac come full circle and return to their original year, which is why the custom in Japan is
to celebrate the 60th birthday as "kanreki.
Click on the zodiac sign you are interested in
The Year of the Rat
Rats are said to be prolific breeders and to protect their homes by quickly detecting evil. White rats, in particular, are believed to be the messengers of the God of Fortune, and their hard work is said to bring people wealth and protect their possessions. People born in the year of the Rat are said to be hard workers, agile in action, and have good judgment.
Year of the Ox
Since ancient times, the Ox has been worshipped as a "holy beast" in India and other countries. People born in the year of the Ox have a long temperament, perseverance, and perseverance in pursuit of a goal, as well as the rigidity of a bull like a bullfighter. They are said to have the ability to demonstrate their strength in academics, the arts, and manufacturing.
Year of the Tiger
The tiger is regarded as a "spirit animal" and is held in high esteem. Because of the tiger's "fondness for children," which is the origin of the word "tiger cub," the tiger was regarded as an amulet to protect children and as a deity to exterminate vermin that devour crops in the fields. People born in the year of the tiger are said to have a strong temperament and quick action.
Year of the Rabbit
The Rabbit is also said to symbolize peace in the home and a good harvest, and its lively spirit means a great leap forward. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are said to be gentle and wise. They are said to have a great wisdom in crisis management and always have a gift for foresight.
The Year of the Dragon
The dragon is the only fictional animal that is worshipped as a god in Japan because it controls the weather, brings rain and blessings to people, and has the power to ward off evil. It is said that people born in the year of the dragon are noble, winsome, and dynamic, but they should act with reserve and reserve.
Year of the Snake
The snake is believed to be the guardian deity of rice cultivation because of its guardian presence in the fields, where it glares at vermin that destroy crops in the fields. The snake is also said to be the messenger of Benzaiten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and is said to be the guardian of wealth, bestowing good fortune. People born in the year of the snake are said to be blessed with good fortune
Year of the Horse
People have long prayed to horses for an abundant harvest of grain and recovery from illness. In the old days, "Hatsuuma" (the first horse day of the year) was very popular, and festivals were held on Noon Day in the beginning of February to pray for the health of cows, horses, and silkworms. People born in the year of the horse are said to be active, sociable, warm-hearted, and to lead others.
Year of the Sheep
Sheep is the origin of the character for "happiness," and ancient characters combine the two, earth and sheep, to create the character for "bridges. People with earth and sheep must have been happy. People born in the year of the sheep are said to be hardworking and sincere.
Year of the Monkey
As a symbol of water, the monkey is meant to prevent sunshine and large fires. It is also the object of many beliefs as the animal is considered to be a companion of human ancestors. People born in the year of the monkey are said to be intelligent and dexterous.
Year of the Rooster
The rooster is said to be the messenger of the god of fire, Aragami, and is used to pray for safety in the home, to ward off disease and evil spirits, to prevent children from crying at night, and to pray for growth. People born in the year of the tori are said to possess the five virtues of literature, military prowess, valor, benevolence, and faith.
Year of the Dog
Dogs are said to be the messengers of Fudo Myoo, or are enshrined as the guardian gods of safe delivery. People born in the year of the dog are said to be faithful and loyal. If you trust people and treat them with a heart that is devoted to them, you will gain their trust and be successful.
Year of the Boar
The boar is a lucky animal and is worshipped as the god of rice paddies and crops, in other words, the god of agriculture. People born in the year of the boar are said to be serious, ambitious, and successful. It is advisable to have the flexibility to cope with the situation not only with the rush of the boar, but also with the leeway to cope with the situation.
5 Six Jizo Bodhisattvas
The six Jizo Bodhisattvas are six separate bodies of the Jizo Bodhisattva, each of which is assigned to save sentient beings. The Rokujizo Bosatsu of Ryusenji Temple was created in the mid-Edo period.
6 Group of tombstones
Although Ryusen-ji Temple has a collection of gravestones, there are also some old stone pagodas furthermore, other historically important gravestones donated by generous parishioners.
7 Cemeteries
General Cemetery
Cemeteries for parishioners are available at any time.
If you wish to visit a cemetery, please make a reservation in advance.
Ryusenji Eternal Cemetery
Ryuusenji has a permanent cemetery with no annual maintenance fee. Please contact the temple directly for details.
Tree Burial Cemetery
At first, Ryuusen-ji's policy was against tree burial. However, we have received many inquiries from people who want to have a cemetery nearby even if they are not temple members, so we have built a cemetery for tree burial with some conditions. For details, please contact us.
Pet Cemetery
Ryusenji Temple has a cemetery for pets for parishioners and neighbors. Please click here for details.
8 Main Hall
In addition to funerals and memorial services, Ryusenji's main hall holds events throughout the year for its parishioners, including a New Year's Prayer Service in January and an Ancestral Memorial Service during the equinoxes.
