Kiyomizu dera temple

Kiyomizu dera temple is a sovereign Buddhist temple and tourist attraction site in eastern Kyoto which is known more entirely as Otowa san Kiyomizu dera. The temple is division of the famous Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto the Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities. Kiyomizu dera temple is one of the UNESCO World Heritage site. It should not be mystified with Kiyomizu dera in Yasugi, Shimane, which is division of the 33 temple way of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage through western Japan. The Kiyomizu dera temple is explained in world tour guides below.

Kiyomizu dera temple was established in the early Heian era. The temple dates back to 798, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, during a renovation planned by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. The pin is not used in the entire temple. It obtains its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water or pure water.

It was originally associated with the old and significant Hosso division dating from Nara times. However, in 1965 it severed that affiliation, and its present custodians call themselves members of the Kitahosso sect. The major hall has a big veranda, holded by tall pillars, that extend out over the hillside and presents remarkable outlooks of the city. Big verandas and major halls were built at several popular sites throughout the Edo period to provide accommodation for large numbers of pilgrims.

The popular expression to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression to take the plunge. This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to survive a 13m jump from the stage, one's wish would be granted. Two hundred thirty-four jumps were recorded in the Edo period and, of those, 85.4% survived. The practice is now prohibited.

Below the major hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water drop into a pond. Visitors can hold and drink the waters which are believed to have remedial properties. Drinking the water of the three channels is said to present knowledge, strength, and long life. Though few Japanese trust that you must select only two channels if you are greedy and drink from all three channels you invite trouble upon yourself.

The temple complex contains numerous other holy places, among them the Jishu Shrine, devoted to Okuninushi, a god of love and good matches. Jishu Shrine acquires a couple of love stones located 18 meters away from each other, which lonely tourists can try to walk between with their eyes closed. Triumph in reaching the other stone with their eyes closed involves that the pilgrim will find love, or true love. One can be helped in the passage, but this is taken to denote that a go between will be needed. The persons idealistic concern can help them as well.

The complex also offers a variety of talismans, enrage, and omikuji. The location is mainly popular during festivals particularly at New Years and during obon in the summer when extra booths fill the grounds selling conventional holiday foodstuffs and souvenirs to crowd of visitors. In 2007, Kiyomizu-dera was one of 21 finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World but it was not selected as one of the seven Wonders of the World.