Not just the world's largest reclining Buddha statue! A report on a visit to Nanzo-in Temple in Sasaguri Town, packed with things to see

Nanzoin Temple is located in Sasaguri Town, Kasuya District, Fukuoka Prefecture.

It is famous for the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha in reclining in honour, and is a popular spot that attracts many visitors, but it would be a waste to just look at the statue and then go home!

In order to fully enjoy the many things to see at Nanzo-in Temple, I, Tsubaking, who has a "Level 1 Buddhist Certification" (※), walked around the temple grounds with the guidance of the head priest, Emi Hayashi. (※) Certified by the Japan Buddhist Association

We will introduce you to all of its charms.

First, visit the main hall and principal image of Nanzoin Temple!

Let's start by paying our respects at the principal image in the Main Hall, the center of Nanzoin Temple.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

You might think of the principal image as a large, eye-catching "Shaka Nirvana statue," but in fact it is not.

The principal image of Nanzo-in Temple is Amida Nyorai, which is enshrined in the center of the main hall, but the main hall is not actually located where the Shaka Nehanzo statue is. If you are heading from JR Kido Nanzo-inmae Station or the free parking lot next to it, it is on the right hand side after going up the hill.

Image: Nanzoin Temple

"Amida Buddha" is the being who comes to greet us when we die so that we don't go to hell and takes us to the Pure Land.

For this reason, it is said that this Buddha bestows blessings of peace in this world, making him the perfect Buddha for modern times, when we never know what will happen next.

It is also the starting point of the pilgrimage around the 88 temples scattered around Sasaguri, known as the "Sasaguri Shikoku 88 Temples," and the Shaka Nyorai, the principal image of the first temple on the sacred site, is enshrined in the main hall here.

Image: Mr. tsubaking *From the left, Shaka Nyorai, Amitabha Nyorai, and Kobo Daishi

For protection from misfortune and fulfillment of wishes! The large "Great Acala" has as many fans as the Shaka Nirvana statue

If you go further up the hill from the main hall, you will see the large statue of Acala.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

It stands at a height of 11 metres and has an expression said to be angry, making it an overwhelmingly powerful presence.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

At first glance, he looks frightening, but in fact, his expression is as if he is trying to forcefully cut off our evil thoughts and earthly desires. Despite appearances (it may be rude to say this), he is a merciful Buddha.

His mercy is extended to all people, and his two eyes, called the Tenchigan, look up and down, representing that he is watching over all people in this world who seek salvation.

The Kurikara sword that he holds in his hand is said to cut off not only our evil thoughts and worldly desires, but also misfortune, so he is often visited to ward off misfortune and have wishes fulfilled.

Don't miss the "Thunder God" carved into a tree along with the Great Acala!

It's easy to overlook due to the presence of "Daifudō Myōō," but you definitely can't miss the "Raijin" carved into a cedar tree near "Daifudō Myōō."

Image: Mr.tsubaking

The "Raijin" (thunder god) is carved into a part of the tree where the bark was peeled off by a lightning strike several decades ago.

It has long been said that trees struck by lightning are home to gods, and this cedar was carved because it is considered to be of the best quality for carving Buddhist statues and rosary.

In addition, because these cedar trees act as lightning rods and protect people from lightning, they are believed to have the power to ward off disasters.

Currently, the left side of the Raijin statue (the right side from your perspective) is starting to be covered with bark, which is evidence that the tree is naturally repairing itself over the decades.

This is a place where you can feel not only the blessings and the beauty of the sculptures, but also the vitality of the wood.

Drink the spring water and be purified from the inside! The birthplace of the Sasaguri Pilgrimage, "Temple No. 45 (Nanzoin Okunoin)"

Now, let's move on.

If you continue climbing from "Daifudō Myōō", you will come across an area where rugged rocks are exposed.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

There is a temple (Nanzoin Okunoin) which is the 45th temple of the Sasaguri Shikoku 88 Temples, and you can also practice waterfall asceticism at the nearby Kido Fudo Falls.

Meditation, a form of Buddhist training, is now popular as "mindfulness," and waterfall asceticism is said to help you reflect on yourself and ward off evil spirits. If you're interested, be sure to give it a try (contact Nanzoin for details).

In fact, this waterfall is the birthplace of the Sasaguri Sacred Site and is an important spot for both Nanzōin and Sasaguri.

In a small cave next to the waterfall, there is a "Reisui Cave" where you can drink the mountain spring water and feel purified both inside and out.

If it feels light, your wish will come true!? "Okae Jizo"

We head back down the same path we came up, passing through the Seven Lucky Gods Tunnel that leads to the Shaka Nehan Statue, and then head back towards the Main Hall.

Next to the "Main Hall," the head priest, Mr. Hayashi, enthusiastically told me, "This is my personal recommendation!" There are seven small Jizo statues lined up.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

The idea is to think of what you want to come true, lift up the Jizo statue, and if it feels light, your wish will come true.

"There was a time when a small, elderly woman was able to lift the same Jizo statue with ease, but a larger man was unable to do so," says Hayashi.

When you actually try to lift it, you may be a little worried, thinking, "What if it's heavy?", but there's no need to worry.

Even if it is heavy, it doesn't mean that your wish won't come true, but rather that you need to put in one more effort before it will come true!

You can even worship inside the body! The world's largest "Buddha in Nirvana" statue

From the "Main Hall", if you go through the "Seven Lucky Gods Tunnel", in the center of which are the Seven Lucky Gods enshrined, you will arrive at the "Shakanehanzo" statue.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

It is 41 meters long, 11 meters high, and weighs 300 tons, making it one of the largest bronze reclining Buddha statues in the world.

The impressive sight will have you wanting to take photos, but first you should pray.

You can simply join your hands together quietly, but since Nanzoin is a Shingon Buddhist temple and the reclining statue is of Shaka Nyorai, try joining your hands together and chanting the mantra "Nomakusanmandabodanambaku." You can also worship inside the body (prayer and offering fee: 500 yen, reception hours: 9:30-16:00).

Now that you've finished praying, it's time to take some photos! However, don't forget that this is a place of prayer, not a tourist spot.

If you go down to the rest area in front of the "Shaka Nehanzo Statue," you can take a beautiful photo from head to toe (see photo above). However, Nanzo-in is popular with worshippers from both within Japan and overseas. Most people take photos from the front, so you can't help but feel like you've seen it before.

So we asked the head priest, Mr. Hayashi, about the recommended shooting angle, and he said, "You can get a better sense of its size from underneath."

When you take a photo, you can really see the power of the Nirvana statue coming through in the photograph!

Image: Mr.tsubaking

Plus, there's a strange pattern on the bottom of his feet.

Image: Mr.tsubaking

An old sutra states that Tathagata has 32 physical characteristics, and Buddhist statues are made based on that, with this pattern being one of those physical characteristics.

It is said to be a manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha's power to remove our anger and greed.

Another physical feature of the Buddha is his unique permed hairstyle called "rahotsu."

Image: Mr.tsubaking

As a final bonus, I would like to introduce my own style of viewing Buddhist statues as a Buddhist statue enthusiast.

Here it is!

Image: Mr.tsubaking

I have always felt that giant Buddhas are best viewed from a distance, and the Nirvana Statue at Nanzoin Temple offers a completely different level of grandeur when viewed from a distance than when viewed up close.

As it is outside the temple grounds, we cannot tell you the location, but please try to find a spot with a distant view while being safe and observing proper etiquette!

The Shaka Nehan statue is so prominent that it seems like the center of attention. I'm sure that many people have come to know Nanzoin thanks to it, but there is much more to this temple than just that.

There are parts that could not be introduced in this article, so please go and discover them with your own eyes! (Text by Mr. tsubaking)

＜Click on the facility name for more information about the facility ↓＞
■ Nanzoin Temple
Address: 1035 Sasaguri, Sasaguri-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture
Visiting hours: [Shaka Nehan Statue] 9:00-16:30 (inside the statue 9:30-16:00) [Main Hall/Temple No. 45] Open 24 hours
*This article contains information current at the time of publication.
* Any secondary use of the content of this site (images, text, etc.) such as duplication, reproduction, diversion, modification, etc. without permission is strictly prohibited. If found to be in violation, legal action may be taken.

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