Difference between revisions of "Mount Kōya"
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[[File:Danjogaran Koyasan12n3200.jpg|thumb|250px|Danjogaran, the central point of Mt. Kōya.]] | [[File:Danjogaran Koyasan12n3200.jpg|thumb|250px|Danjogaran, the central point of Mt. Kōya.]] | ||
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| − | * Okunoin (奥の院), the mausoleum of [[Kūkai]], surrounded by an immense graveyard (the largest in [[Japan]]) | + | |
| − | * Danjogaran (壇上伽藍), a heartland of [[Mt. Kōya]]. | + | |
| − | ** Konpon Daitō (根本大塔), a [[pagoda]] that according to [[Shingon]] [[doctrine]] represents the central point of a [[mandala]] covering not only Mt. Kōya but all of [[Japan]] | + | [[Mount Kōya]] ([[高野山]] [[Kōya-san]]?) is the [[name]] of [[mountains]] in {{Wiki|Wakayama Prefecture}} to the [[south]] of {{Wiki|Osaka}}. Also, [[Kōya-san]] is a modifying [[word]] for [[Kongōbu-ji]] ([[金剛峯寺]]). There is no one mountain officially called [[Kōya-san]] ([[高野山]]) in [[Japan]]. |
| − | * [[Kongōbu-ji]] (金剛峯寺), the head [[temple]] of the Kōyasan [[Shingon Buddhism]] | + | |
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| + | First settled in 819 by the [[monk]] [[Kūkai]], [[Mt. Kōya]] is primarily known as the [[world]] headquarters of the [[Kōyasan]] [[Shingon]] [[sect]] of [[Japanese Buddhism]]. Located in an 800 m high valley amid the eight peaks of the mountain (which was the [[reason]] this location was selected, in that the | ||
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| + | terrain is supposed to resemble a [[lotus]] plant), the original [[monastery]] has grown into the town of [[Wikipedia:Kōya, Wakayama|Kōya]], featuring a {{Wiki|university}} dedicated to [[religious]] studies and 120 [[temples]], many of which offer lodging to [[pilgrims]]. The mountain is home to the following famous sites: | ||
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| + | * [[Okunoin]] ([[奥の院]]), the mausoleum of [[Kūkai]], surrounded by an immense [[graveyard]] (the largest in [[Japan]]) | ||
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| + | * [[Danjogaran]] ([[壇上伽藍]]), a heartland of [[Mt. Kōya]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ** [[Konpon Daitō]] ([[根本大塔]]), a [[pagoda]] that according to [[Shingon]] [[doctrine]] represents the central point of a [[mandala]] covering not only [[Mt. Kōya]] but all of [[Japan]] | ||
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| + | * [[Kongōbu-ji]] ([[金剛峯寺]]), the head [[temple]] of the [[Kōyasan]] [[Shingon Buddhism]] | ||
| + | |||
* {{Wiki|Kōyasan chōishi-michi}}, the [[traditional]] route up the mountain | * {{Wiki|Kōyasan chōishi-michi}}, the [[traditional]] route up the mountain | ||
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* It also houses a replica of the {{Wiki|Nestorian stele}} | * It also houses a replica of the {{Wiki|Nestorian stele}} | ||
| − | In 2004, [[Wikipedia:United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]] designated Mt. Kōya, along with two other locations on the {{Wiki|Kii Peninsula}}, [[Yoshino]] and [[Omine]]; and [[Kumano]] [[Sanzan]], as {{Wiki|World Heritage Sites}} "{{Wiki|Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range}}". | + | |
| + | In 2004, [[Wikipedia:United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization|UNESCO]] designated [[Mt. Kōya]], along with two other locations on the {{Wiki|Kii Peninsula}}, [[Yoshino]] and [[Omine]]; and [[Kumano]] [[Sanzan]], as {{Wiki|World Heritage Sites}} "{{Wiki|Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range}}". | ||
==Access== | ==Access== | ||
| − | The mountain is accessible primarily by the {{Wiki|Nankai Electric Railway}} from {{Wiki|Namba Station}} (in {{Wiki|Osaka}}) to {{Wiki|Gokurakubashi Station}} at the base of the mountain. A cable car from Gokurakubashi then whisks visitors to the top in 5 minutes. The entire trip takes about 1.5 hours on an express train or 2 hours by non-express. Local automobile traffic can be very heavy on weekends until well into the evening. On weekdays however, the mountain offers a [[pleasant]] drive followed by the [[excitement]] upon reaching the [[monasteries]] lining the | + | The mountain is accessible primarily by the {{Wiki|Nankai Electric Railway}} from {{Wiki|Namba Station}} (in {{Wiki|Osaka}}) to {{Wiki|Gokurakubashi Station}} at the base of the mountain. A cable car from Gokurakubashi then whisks visitors to the top in 5 minutes. The entire trip takes about 1.5 hours on an express |
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| + | train or 2 hours by non-express. Local automobile traffic can be very heavy on weekends until well into the evening. On weekdays however, the mountain offers a | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[pleasant]] drive followed by the [[excitement]] upon reaching the [[monasteries]] lining the summit. Many [[Buddhist]] [[monasteries]] on the mountain [[function]] as hotels for visitors providing [[traditional]] accommodation with an evening meal and breakfast. | ||
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== Images == | == Images == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
| − | File:Danjogaran Koyasan02s5s3200.jpg|Danjogaran Kondo, the main hall of Mt. Kōya | + | File:Danjogaran Koyasan02s5s3200.jpg|Danjogaran Kondo, the main hall of [[Mt. Kōya]] |
File:Danjogaran Koyasan08n4272.jpg|Danjogaran Saito | File:Danjogaran Koyasan08n4272.jpg|Danjogaran Saito | ||
File:Danjogaran Koyasan23n3200.jpg|Danjogaran Toto | File:Danjogaran Koyasan23n3200.jpg|Danjogaran Toto | ||
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File:Danjogaran Koyasan05s5s4272.jpg|Danjogaran Sano-in | File:Danjogaran Koyasan05s5s4272.jpg|Danjogaran Sano-in | ||
File:Kongobuji [[Temple]], [[Koyasan]], [[Japan]] - front facade.JPG|Kongōbu-ji [[Temple]] | File:Kongobuji [[Temple]], [[Koyasan]], [[Japan]] - front facade.JPG|Kongōbu-ji [[Temple]] | ||
| − | File:Kongobuji [[Temple]], [[Koyasan]], [[Japan]] - Banryutei rock garden.JPG|Banryutei rock garden, Kongōbu-ji [[Temple]] | + | File:Kongobuji [[Temple]], [[Koyasan]], [[Japan]] - Banryutei rock garden.JPG|Banryutei rock [[garden]], [[Kongōbu-ji]] [[Temple]] |
File:Kongosanmaiin Tahoto.JPG|Pagoda of Kongozanmaiin (National [[Treasure]]) | File:Kongosanmaiin Tahoto.JPG|Pagoda of Kongozanmaiin (National [[Treasure]]) | ||
| − | File:Mt Koya monks.jpg|Shingon [[Buddhist]] [[monks]], Mt. Kōya, 2004 | + | File:Mt [[Koya]] monks.jpg|Shingon [[Buddhist]] [[monks]], [[Mt. Kōya]], 2004 |
| − | File:Okunoin-Cemetery.jpg|Okunoin Cemetery | + | File:Okunoin-Cemetery.jpg|Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
| − | File:Okunoin cemetery.jpg|Graves in Okunoin Cemetery | + | File:Okunoin cemetery.jpg|Graves in Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
| − | File:A statue in Okunoin cemetery.jpg|A statue in Okunoin Cemetery | + | File:A statue in Okunoin cemetery.jpg|A statue in Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
| − | File:Another statue in Okunoin cemetery.jpg|Another statue in Okunoin Cemetery | + | File:Another statue in Okunoin cemetery.jpg|Another statue in Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
| − | File:Okunoin, [[Koyasan]] - figure d.JPG|Detail, Okunoin Cemetery | + | File:Okunoin, [[Koyasan]] - figure d.JPG|Detail, Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
| − | Image:Okunoin Cemetery, [[Koyasan]], Japan.JPG|Okunoin Cemetery | + | Image:Okunoin [[Cemetery]], [[Koyasan]], Japan.JPG|Okunoin [[Cemetery]] |
Image:Tokugawa Mausoleums, [[Koyasan]], Japan.JPG|Tokugawa Mausoleum | Image:Tokugawa Mausoleums, [[Koyasan]], Japan.JPG|Tokugawa Mausoleum | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Latest revision as of 10:32, 23 November 2020
Mount Kōya (高野山 Kōya-san?) is the name of mountains in Wakayama Prefecture to the south of Osaka. Also, Kōya-san is a modifying word for Kongōbu-ji (金剛峯寺). There is no one mountain officially called Kōya-san (高野山) in Japan.
First settled in 819 by the monk Kūkai, Mt. Kōya is primarily known as the world headquarters of the Kōyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located in an 800 m high valley amid the eight peaks of the mountain (which was the reason this location was selected, in that the
terrain is supposed to resemble a lotus plant), the original monastery has grown into the town of Kōya, featuring a university dedicated to religious studies and 120 temples, many of which offer lodging to pilgrims. The mountain is home to the following famous sites:
- Danjogaran (壇上伽藍), a heartland of Mt. Kōya.
- Kongōbu-ji (金剛峯寺), the head temple of the Kōyasan Shingon Buddhism
- Kōyasan chōishi-michi, the traditional route up the mountain
- It also houses a replica of the Nestorian stele
In 2004, UNESCO designated Mt. Kōya, along with two other locations on the Kii Peninsula, Yoshino and Omine; and Kumano Sanzan, as World Heritage Sites "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range".
Access
The mountain is accessible primarily by the Nankai Electric Railway from Namba Station (in Osaka) to Gokurakubashi Station at the base of the mountain. A cable car from Gokurakubashi then whisks visitors to the top in 5 minutes. The entire trip takes about 1.5 hours on an express
train or 2 hours by non-express. Local automobile traffic can be very heavy on weekends until well into the evening. On weekdays however, the mountain offers a
pleasant drive followed by the excitement upon reaching the monasteries lining the summit. Many Buddhist monasteries on the mountain function as hotels for visitors providing traditional accommodation with an evening meal and breakfast.
Images
Danjogaran Kondo, the main hall of Mt. Kōya
Danjogaran Saito
Danjogaran Toto
Danjogaran Fudodo (National Treasure)
Danjogaran Sano-in
Pagoda of Kongozanmaiin (National Treasure)
Okunoin Cemetery
Graves in Okunoin Cemetery
A statue in Okunoin Cemetery
Another statue in Okunoin Cemetery
