Walk in Kairyuo-ji Buddhist Temple – Nara City, Japan
Kairyuo-ji Temple (海龍王寺) is a Buddhist temple located near Heijo Palace in Hokkejicho neighbourhood of Nara City (奈良市), the capital city of Nara Prefecture, Japan.
The legend says that the temple was built in 731 at the behest of Empress Komyo and it is first abbot was monk Genbo. However, this is not mentioned in the official history of the temple, and the exact date and circumstances of its founding are not known.
Empress Komyo (光明皇后) (701 – 23 July 760)was the consort of Japanese Emperor Shomu (701–756) during the Nara Period.
Komyo grew up surrounded by Buddhist influence.
Her father was a key figure in developing Kōfuku-ji Temple (興福寺) that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in Nara City.
Her mother seems to have been a devout Buddhist and entered the Buddhist order in 721. Her uncle, Jōe, was a monk who traveled to China to study.
As a devout adherent of Buddhism, Komyo encouraged the construction and enrichment of temples, including Shinyakushi-ji (Nara), Hokke-ji (Nara), Kōfuku-ji (Nara), and Tōdai-ji (Nara).
She also sponsored charitable institutions such as medicinal dispensaries and shelters for the needy.
It was inspired by Buddhist notions of compassion and bodhisattva conduct.
In the medieval period, Komyo became an object of worship and numerous legends started to circulate about her.
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