About Myoryuji
Myoryuji is a temple of the Nichiren order of Buddhism (Nichiren shu) which locates in Sakura city, Chiba, Japan. The Nichiren shu is one of the traditional Buddhist Order which was founded by Nichiren Shonin(1222-1282) on April 28th, 1253 during the Kamakura era. Nichiren Shonin found and started to preach that the lotus sutra was the embodiment of the true teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Minobusan Kuonji in Minobu town in Yamanashi is the mother temple of Nichiren shu. That temple was established by Nichiren Shonin in 1274 and is the site of the Nichiren shonin’s tomb. It has been the most sacred place for the Nichiren shu followers.
Our belief in this doctrine is affirmed by our chantings of the Odaimoku (Sacred Title) : “Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo”. It means “we devote ourselves to the lotus sutra”.
Myoryuji was reared as the temple of the Nichiren shu in 1471 during the Muromachi era. At that time, the site of the temple was in front of the main gate of the Sakura castle. After that, during the Hoei period (1704-11) in the Edo era, the temple moved to the present place due to the expansion of the castle.
The present head minister is the 26th and his name is Eisho Murakami. He has committed to this temple for more than 40 years. There are 2 more ministers here: Eigaku Murakami and Ekou Murakami. Reverend Ekou speaks English. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Sakura is a city between Tokyo and Narita and the former castle town (Jokamachi). The site of the castle still remains as the park, “Joshi Koen”. That park is known as its beauty of many cherry blossom trees. Also, there is the “National Museum of Japanese History” in the park. Besides it, there still remain many sites of historical buildings, parks, pathways. You can enjoy the historical atmosphere and natural scenery in Sakura.
Here you will see…
Hondo, the main hall
Constructed in April, 1988. Ceremonies are held here.
Sanmon, the gate of the temple
Constructed in November, 2004.
Kasamori-inari, the building to the right of the gate
Constructed in November, 2004. In this building, Kasamori-inari, the god of skin disease, is enshrined.
Hoto, the stone marker
Constructed in August, 1719 during the Edo era. “Odaimoku, Namu Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo”, is curved on the surface. The meaning of this stone is to inform the entrance of the temple.
The big gingko nut tree
You will see the big tree in the center of the temple. That is the gingko nut tree. It is said to be more than 250 years old. In autumn, the color of the leaves change from green to gold. Due to the big typhoon in 2019, the beautiful long branches had to be cut down.
Bedsides above, there are more beautiful monuments, flowers and trees, too. Please come and visit out temple to have relaxed time!
Events
Monthly gatherings
There are services at 1:30pm on the 1st Sunday of each month. We learn how to read the lotus sutra and sing the “Wasan”- the singing sutra.
If there are special ceremonies and events are held on and near the day of the monthly gatherings (such as February and November) monthly services will be skipped.
Everyone is welcomed to join these services. Please check out this website or send messages to us for more information.
Access to Myoryuji
12-min. walk from the Keisei Sakura station(south exit)
18-min. walk from the JR Sakura station(north exit)
10-min. drive from the Sakura I.C. on the Higashi-Kanto express highway
For the Keisei Sakura sta. (It is on the Keisei MAIN Line) :
52mins from the Keisei Ueno sta. (using the limited express for Narita airport)
57mins from the Nihonbashi sta. (directly connected from the Toei Asakusa line and using the special express for Narita airport)
For the JR Sakura sta.:
60mins from the Tokyo sta. (using the Sobu line express for Narita airport)