Kamakura Temples & Shrines: Jumyo-Ji Temple Part 2 稲荷山 浄妙寺
Why Jumyo-Ji?
Part one is here
1) If you like Rinzai Chinese Buddhist architecture. There are no sermons taught here.
2) If you have an admiration for rock gardens and seasonal flowers - on a much smaller scale than places like Shimane and Kyoto.
3) If you want to sit back and enjoy a warm bowl of macha with a sugar cookie while admiring the tapestry and rock garden.
I know all the reasons why poeple visit temples, but what about other reasons? The beauty of this temple is the solitude I get from sitting in silence with my warm bowl of macha and sugar cookie while overlooking a rock garden. The rest is [....sigh....] a slice of heaven.
The matrons bow and greet me warmly at the door of a dimly lit teahouse, I remove my shoes. I am then quietly seated at a low table on a tatami facing a piece of Buddhist tapestry. Softly and gently placing my match on that low table while tiptoeing away in silence. There's incense in the air. It intoxicates my soul. Welcome to Jomyo-Ji.
The temple grounds are smaller compared to some of the other temples. I only visit this place when I need to study or do meditation. It's almost never busy on weekdays, and it's quiet. I like to read here too. The chairs and tables are a nice addition as well. Good for a nice afternoon meditation alone or with someone.
As for the historical relevance of this temple, it is considered one of the top five zen temples in Kamakura. Shaka-Nyorai is the principal diety here.
Getting here you can take the bus from pole #5 from Kamakura Station, not Kita-Kamakura Station. All buses from pole #5 go to Jomyo-ji and it will cost you 200 yen - rates are subject to change.
Part one is here
1) If you like Rinzai Chinese Buddhist architecture. There are no sermons taught here.
2) If you have an admiration for rock gardens and seasonal flowers - on a much smaller scale than places like Shimane and Kyoto.
3) If you want to sit back and enjoy a warm bowl of macha with a sugar cookie while admiring the tapestry and rock garden.
I know all the reasons why poeple visit temples, but what about other reasons? The beauty of this temple is the solitude I get from sitting in silence with my warm bowl of macha and sugar cookie while overlooking a rock garden. The rest is [....sigh....] a slice of heaven.
The matrons bow and greet me warmly at the door of a dimly lit teahouse, I remove my shoes. I am then quietly seated at a low table on a tatami facing a piece of Buddhist tapestry. Softly and gently placing my match on that low table while tiptoeing away in silence. There's incense in the air. It intoxicates my soul. Welcome to Jomyo-Ji.
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| Main Hall ( Hon-do) |
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| The Kisen-an tea house |
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| Zen rock garden |
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| Matcha |
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| Red bean sugar cookie |
The temple grounds are smaller compared to some of the other temples. I only visit this place when I need to study or do meditation. It's almost never busy on weekdays, and it's quiet. I like to read here too. The chairs and tables are a nice addition as well. Good for a nice afternoon meditation alone or with someone.
As for the historical relevance of this temple, it is considered one of the top five zen temples in Kamakura. Shaka-Nyorai is the principal diety here.
Getting here you can take the bus from pole #5 from Kamakura Station, not Kita-Kamakura Station. All buses from pole #5 go to Jomyo-ji and it will cost you 200 yen - rates are subject to change.
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