Okunoin Temple

Walking through Japan's largest cemetery, Okunoin, in Koyasan is both beautiful and eerie. Recommend going both in daylight and at night.
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Japan's largest cemetery is a peaceful, beautiful place to explore.

Enjoying a quiet walk through the largest cemetery in Japan following an overnight stay at a nearby Buddhist temple in the mountain town of Koya.

#Koya #Japan #Buddhism #aesthetic #mountain #cemetery #History

The history of the small town of Koya dates back to 805 AD when a Buddhist monk by the name of Kobo Daishi or also known as Kukai introduced his esoteric teachings of Buddhism to Japan and created the #Shingon sect. Based on early Budha Tantras, the Shingon sect believes that enlightenment can be attained through meditative practice and esoteric rituals which includes Mantra chanting and the use of Mudras and Mandalas. The town of Koya itself started of as a mountain retreat project proposed by Kukai for people to use as a retreat from worldly affairs as he believes that the mountain itself can be the representation of the Mandala of the two realms that form the basis of Shingon Buddhism. But Kukai himself didn't live to see his dream fully realized since he died in 835 AD at the age of 62 before the project was finished. He was entombed in the eastern peak of the mountain and later moved to a mausoleum dedicated to him in the now famous #Okunoin Cemetery.

As the Shingon Sect grew so does the small mountain retreat that Kukai built. New buildings and temples are built around the original retreat until the small secluded town of Koya emerged. Now becoming the center for Shingon Buddhism in Japan, monks and practicioners come in flocks to the secluded town to practice the esoteric teachings of Kukai. Surrounded by tall trees from an ancient forest, the distant sound of bells and sutra's chanting can be heard permeating throughout the quiet town. It's this aura of serenity and myticism of the mountain that drawn Kukai this place and that aura never changes even until now.

While distance wise the town of Koya is not far from Osaka, it actually takes around 3-4 hours to reach the place from there because of the lack of fast public transport and it's secludedness so plan your trip well if you're planning to visit this neat little area :)

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Koya Travel Guide

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