The Eikan-do Garden and Shinbutsu Bunri (Eikan-do, Part 3)

Kyoto’s Eikan-do Zenrin-ji is the head temple of the Seizan branch of Pure Land Buddhism in Japan. The temple sits near the southern end of the famous Philosopher’s Path, and although it’s famous for autumn foliage, the temple gardens are spectacular year-round. The photo above shows the path that leads from the gardens (and pagoda hill) down to the temple’s beautiful lake. (To see this tour of Eikan-do from the beginning, click here) The lake is surrounded by Japanese maple trees, some of which blaze with fiery color even in summertime. The temple’s halls enshrine a famous statue of Amida Buddha