Rokkaku-dō (temple)

The Rokkaku-dō (六角堂, Rokkaku-dō^?), official name Chōhō-ji (頂法寺, Chōhō-ji^?), is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, said to have been established by Prince Shōtoku. The name comes from its main hall's hexagonal shape. This temple is part of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

Rokkaku-dō is believed to have been established in the early Heian period.

The origins of traditional Japanese flower arrangement through the Ikenobō school are linked to Rokkaku-dō in the medieval Muromachi period.

Rokkaku-dō was instrumental in the development of Jōdo Shinshū. In 1201 CE, Shinran undertook a 100-day retreat. He had a dream on the 95th day, seeing Prince Shōtoku (regarded as an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara), who directed him to another monk, Hōnen. Shinran subsequently became Hōnen's disciple, establishing Jōdo Shinshū within Hōnen's Jōdo-shū.

According to legend, when Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子) was a child on Awaji Island he found a small Chinese chest that had floated ashore. Opening the lid, the prince found a gold image about 5.5 cm long of the Nyoirin Kannon, which he decided to keep as a sacred Buddhist image or amulet. He prayed to the Kannon to bring him success, promising Kannon that he would build Shitenno-ji Temple (in the area of present Osaka) if he was successful.

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