TEMPLE MANGETSUJI AND ITS UKIMIDO HALL
Mangetsuji Temple houses Ukimido Hall, a building floating above the waters of Lake Biwa, which is accessed via a wooden bridge. This unique panorama is considered one of the eight views of Omi, for its beauty and location facing the waters of the lake. During the Heian period (794-1185), the monk Genshin saw a strange light emanating from the lake from Mount Hieizan every night. On his way to check it out, he picked up with a net a statue of Amitâbha Buddha, golden and shiny. In memory of this find, he carved 1000 Buddha statues and erected the Ukimido to shelter them above the lake. This place of prayer is also revered for the safety of Lake Biwa, as well as for the quick rescue of people in danger. The present building was rebuilt in 1937 and renovated in 1982. The original structure has been well respected. This view of Ukumido floating on the water has inspired many people, including the famous poet Matsuo Basho. This beautiful bucolic landscape is one of the scenes from "Omi Hakkei" (Eight Views of Omi), known as "Katata no Rakugan" (Wild Geese in Katata). It is nice to be able to walk around the Ukimido hall without shoes. It feels like walking over the water and into Lake Biwa. As for the Mangetsuji temple, it belongs to the Daitoku-ji sect of the Rinzai school (one of the branches of Zen Buddhism). The place is very peaceful and conducive to contemplating the lake.
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