The 6 Buddhist Sects in Nara:
1. Hossō 法相宗 (Mahayana) 500,000 followers
2. Jojitsu 成実宗 (Theravada)
3. Kegon 華嚴宗 (Mahayana) 40,000 followers
4. Kusha 倶舎宗(Theravada)
5. Ritsu 律宗 (Theravada and Mahayana) 140,000 followers
6. Sanron 三論 (Mahayana)
Of these 6-- Hosso, Kegon and Ritsu are still active.
Question. At which temples in Kyoto can we find these early Nara sects represented?
some examples: 1.Kiyomizu-dera -- Hosso sect.
2.Hokongo-in near Hanazono Station-- Ritsu sect.
4. Joruri-ji in South Kyoto very close to the Nara border --- Ritsu sect.
5. Suzumushi Temple in the West of Kyoto-- Kegon sect.
Are there any other temples in Kyoto where these early Buddhist sects can be found?
About the 6 Nara schools, great info can be found here: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/six-nara-schools-seven-nara-temples.html
Brief description of Suzumushi from Kyoto Gaidai students.
http://www.kyopro.kufs.ac.jp/dp/dp01.nsf/b7eb328e75d9627a49256feb00103b33/2fa9c832d03b57784925701f001bef72!OpenDocument
This site has some information on Joruri-ji which is a fascinating temple to visit. In the area around it you can hike to another temple Gansen-ji and pass Kamakura Period Buddhist rock carvings. http://www.taleofgenji.org/joruriji.html
This is very useful information. Thanks a lot. The number of followers is very interesting, as is the fact that three of the original six sects are still active. I knew of the Hosso sect and Kegon sect, but not of the Ritsu sect or its temple near Hanazono Station...
ReplyDeleteThat temple,Hokongo-in is a must visit when the lotus flower is in bloom, around mid to late July. There is a stunniing lotus pond. It also has an Amida statue from the same period as Byodoin's Amida. Finally, Saigyo composed a poem there, inspired by the waterfall. Very interesting temple rich in history, well worth a trip.
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