Zensui-ji: Miracles on Mount Iwane

#fallishere Location: Zensuiji 善水寺 3518 Iwane, Konan, Shiga 520-3252, Japan Zensui-ji, originally founded during the Wado era in the Nara period as Wado-ji, holds a fascinating history intertwined with spiritual events. Its establishment was ordained by Emperor Genmei as a national guardianship dojo. During the Enryaku era, Saicho Shonin sought materials from the Koka area to build a temple for Mt. Hiei. Facing a challenge due to a drought, a divine light guided them to Mt. Iwane. Prayers for rain, centered around a Yakushi Buddha, resulted in a miraculous downpour, allowing the timber to reach Hiei. Later, during Emperor Kanmu's illness, the temple's sacred water brought relief, earning the name Iwaneyama Zensui-dera. Over time, the temple became known for rain prayers, with local children singing on Mt. Iou and Kaminari-iwa during droughts. Unfortunately, much of Zensui-dera's ancient history was lost in a fire in 1892, leaving only sparse records from the Edo to Meiji periods. Despite this loss, Zensui-ji remains a testament to spiritual resilience and the interplay of history and nature. #trip #2023travel #2023trip #2023travelwish #2023旅行願望 #timetotravel #tripblazers #historical #heritage