Kiyomizudera (清⽔寺, literally “Pure Water Temple”) is one of the most
celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa
Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto and derives its name from the fall’s
waters. The temple was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the
oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect
in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of World Heritage Sites.
Kiyomizudera is best known for its wooden stage that juts out from its main
hall, 13 meters above the hillside. The stage affords nice views of the numerous
cherry and maple trees below that erupt in a sea of color in spring and fall, as
well as of the city of Kyoto in the distance. The main hall, which together with
the stage was built without the use of nails, houses the temple’s primary object
of worship, a small statue of the eleven faced, thousand armed Kannon.
DAY 62/6 PAUL G ROBERTS IN KYOTO ’80 Days’ Round The World Travel Series
With Paul G Roberts