01‏/08‏/2014

Great Mausoleum of Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji Guide 14: The place where believers' urns rest

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Frightening looking wooden statue welcomes you when you enter 'Shidōden'

According to the sign, 'Shidōden' contains thousands of memorial tablets and urns of lay followers and their relatives

The entrance wooden sign of 'Shidōden'. It was dark inside, as this is the place where followers spirits rest in peace

There are many many many memorial tablets of followers lined up on a shelf

Many names are written on one big memorial tablet

Buddhist gold ornaments hanging from high ceiling

The famous giant beads of Eiheiji Temple is here!

Outside corridor of 'Shidōden'. Serene place for spirits to rest in peace

Moss-covered stone monument and green trees viewed from a corridor of 'Shidōden'

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore Eiheiji Temple in Fukui, the Zen temple of 'Eternal Peace'. The fourteenth, final guide focuses on 'Shidōden', the great mausoleum and memorial hall which contains thousands of memorial tablets and urns of lay followers and their relatives. Memorial services are performed every morning in this hall, which means if your urn of ashes is placed here, rather than in a graveyard somewhere, you can rest in peace forever in this beautiful temple without worrying about who will take care of your grave in the future! Also, don't miss the HUGE Buddhist beads displayed in this hall, which was donated by a fervent believer. It weighs 250 kg and is 18 meter long, hanging on the wall of 'Shidōden'.

For other photos, please see these other photo stories, a detailed history, this article, and the other entries to this guide, the links below.