Sōji-ji So-in Temple
總持寺祖院
This temple, a Soto Zen training center, offers meditation and honors Zen master Keizan.
What it is
- Sojiji Soin is a monastery.
- Founded in 1321 by Zen master Keizan.
- Center of Soto Zen training.
- One of two head temples of the Soto school.
What to see
- Hatto, or Dharma Hall, a wooden building.
- Hatto adorned with gold, Wajima lacquer, transom carvings.
- Carvings depict life and teachings of Keizan.
- Dentoin, the mausoleum of Keizan, is most revered structure.
When to go
- Renovations completed in December 2020.
In detail
Sojiji was founded in 1321 by Zen master Keizan (1268–1325), who is credited with spreading the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. Keizan made Sojiji a center of Soto Zen training and it quickly became one of the school’s two head temples. In 1898, Sojiji was completely destroyed by fire. Sojiji Soin (lit. “Sojiji Ancestor Temple”) is a monastery built on the same site.
Notable structures include the hatto, or Dharma Hall. The hatto is a wooden building that hosts special ceremonies and is adorned with gold, Wajima lacquer, and intricate transom carvings depicting the life and teachings of Keizan. Dentoin is the mausoleum of Keizan and is the most revered structure at Sojiji Soin. Dentoin honors Keizan’s spirit, although his remains are not buried here.
Visitors to Sojiji Soin can experience guided Soto Zen meditation. Those who stay in the monastery overnight can try longer meditation sessions and vegetarian Buddhist cuisine. Advance reservations are required. One of the priests speaks fluent English and German.
Parts of Sojiji Soin are under construction due to damage in a 2007 earthquake. Renovations will be completed in December 2020.
Text: 観光庁 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース. Reproduced unchanged. The notes above were written from that text by Japan Gems.
Where it is
石川県輪島市門前町門前1-18-1 Open in Google Maps
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