A Visit to Eikan-do (Part 1)

Eikan-do Zenrin-ji sits on the southern end of the famed “Philosopher’s Path” that runs along a canal in Northeastern Kyoto. Founded during the mid-9th century, Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect of Buddhism in Japan, and although it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s also very much a living, functioning Buddhist temple. The front gate of Eikan-do lies at the end of a tree-lined path. The temple itself backs up to the side of the hills that surround Kyoto. In fact, the temple’s pagoda perches high on a hill above the rest of the temple grounds. Visitors