Gokuraku-ji (Saijō)

Gokuraku-ji
Gokuraku-ji
極楽寺
	Main Hall
Religion
Affiliation	Ishizuchisan Shingon Shu
Sect	Kogi Shingon, Tōzan-ha Shugendo
Deity	Fudo Myōō, Aizen Myōō, Amida Triad, Ishizuchi Kongō Zaō Dai Gongen, Kongō Dōji, Hōkibō Daitengu, Kangiten
Location
Location	4-36 Ohoki, Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture
Architecture
Founder	En no Gyōja
Date established	680

Gokuraku-ji (極楽寺) is the head temple of the Ishizuchisan Shingon and Shugendō sect in Saijō, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. The principal images are the Amida Triad and Zaō Gongen. It is the fundamental training center for Ishizuchisan sect, and has been a major training center for Shugendō for about 1,300 years.^[1]^[2]

History

According to temple legend, around 680 AD, En no Gyōja retreated to Mount Ryuo, where he could look up at Mount Ishizuchi, purified himself at the Fudogataki waterfall and underwent training days on end. It is said, later on the summit of Mt. Ishizuchi, majestic Amitābha Tathāgata appeared, flanked by Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva and Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva. En no Gyōja prayed the following in their presence, “In the coming age and decline of the Dharma, sentient beings will increasingly lose their spiritual capabilities and many will suffer in the sea of suffering. Please drive away the demons in the hearts of all sentient beings and guide them to the path of enlightenment.” Responding to his prayer, a thunderous sound rattled, and the compassionate forms of the Amitābha Trio transformed into fierce, wrathful appearances known as Ishizuchi Kongō Zaō Dai-gongen, before carving their likeness into wood.

He later founded Tengaji Temple, which had the Amida Triad and three Ishizuchi Gongen statues as its principal image, and the temple flourished from the Heian period to the Muromachi period. However, at the end of the Muromachi period, Tengaji Temple was burned down in 1350 during the wars of the Sengoku period, and the head priest at the time, Gyozen Daitoku, ordered his disciple Yuhoshi to find a place to continue the flame of Tengaji's teachings, before passing away. Yuhoshi found a place where he could look up at Mount Ryuo, built a temple, named it Gokurakuji, and protected the flame of the teachings.

Later, the central of the three Ishizuchi Zao Gongen statues that was the principal image of Tengaji, Kongo Zaō Gongen, was excavated from the ruins of Tengaji Temple and enshrined as the principal image of today's Zao-den. Since Gokurakuji was established, two fires destroyed many treasures, but the original images have been preserved, and to this day, goma ceremonies are held daily in front of Ishizuchi Kongo Zaō Gongen in the mornings and evenings. In 2014, the two side statues, Ryuouku Zao Gongen and Muihouku Zao Gongen, which had been lost, were replaced, completing the set. In the Meiji period, the Shinto-Buddhist separation order was enacted, many temples in the area joined larger government friendly sects and abandoned Zao Gongen and Shugendo worship, this temple was not abandoned, and Ishizuchi faith has continued unbroken. Currently, the chief abbot is Kanno Kensho, and the keeper is Kanno Kensei.

Affiliation and Role in Ishizuchisan Shingon Buddhism

Gokuraku-ji serves as the head temple of the Ishizuchisan Shingon School (石鎚山真言宗, Ishizuchisan Shingon-shū), a Japanese Esoteric Buddhist sect within the Kōgi Shingon (Orthodox Shingon) tradition. The school maintains Shingon and Shugendō (mountain ascetic) lineage lines, and is centered on Mount Ishizuchi in Ehime Prefecture.^[3]

Doctrine and Training

Ishizuchisan Shingon’s doctrine centers on esoteric Shingon and Shugendō practices and ascetic austerities. The school maintains two distinct training paths:

Shingon education: Tokudō (ordination), Shidō Kegyo (initiations), Denpō Kanjō (elementary empowerment), and Ichiryū Denjū and further empowerments (master-level empowerment)
Shugendō training: Mountain pilgrimages, waterfall purification, mountain austerities, and initiation to tantric practice.^[4]

Contemporary Role and Outreach

Gokuraku-ji continues to function as a key Shingon and Shugendō training site, preserving the veneration of the Amida Triad and Zaō Gongen. The temple has played this role for over 1,300 years.

In recent years, the Ishizuchisan Shingon School has expanded its international outreach, translating the entirety of the corpus of their lineage into English-language materials and inviting sincere individuals from abroad to engage with its teachings. While advanced esoteric practices remain reserved for initiated practitioners, the sect provides introductory content and guidance through its official portal.^[5]