Did you know that the melting pot of Ohara is actually deeply tied to the Amitabha faith?
The Amitabha faith gained popularity in the Heian era. Followers of this faith leave themselves in the hands of the Buddha Amitabha in hopes of entering the pure land upon death. Life in the pure land is without worry or care and if you pray “Hail Amitabha Buddha” everyday, in the afterlife Amitabha himself will lead you to the holy land.
When the Amitabha Faith came into popularity, the country was surrounded by violence. Due to a disparate difference in class at the time, many people were forced to live on the streets. The sides of major roads and the Kamo River were lined with bodies of those who lost their lives to famine and disease.
Many people believed that this marked the “final act of dharma.” The final act of dharma stated that when the people come to stop believing and following the teachings of Buddha, then many calamities will fall upon them and the societies in which they live.
In a world with nothing but suffering and hardship, the Amitabha faith offered the hope that at least in the afterlife they could be saved.
Ōjō Goraku-in which holds a statue of Amitabha Buddha who guides followers to the holy land is right here at Sanzen-in. Right now it is hidden by a bell, but on the roof of the hall is a beautiful depiction of Buddhist figures guiding followers to the holy land.
Compared to Kyoto, Ohara was a much smaller city, but was not immune to the suffering going on around the country. Ōjō Goraku-in acted as a safe space.