The principal image of Shodoshima Great Kannon is the Bodhisattva Kannon, who saves all living beings.
The statue was solemnly carved by Master Matsuhisa Sourin, one of Japan's most renowned Buddhist sculptors and acclaimed as one of the greatest sculptors of our time.
Master Matsuhisa Sourin has been involved in the creation of Buddhist statues for many famous temples, including the Seated Thousand-Armed Kannon at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, the restoration of the Kannon statue at Hasedera Temple in Nara, and the Great Kannon statue at Gokoku-ji Temple in Tokyo. He has also made great contributions to preserving ancient faith, such as the restoration of the Nio statues lost in war damage at Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka and the creation of a statue of Prince Shotoku's filial piety.

The Bodhisattva Kannon is considered the foundational deity of Kannon faith, and is the Buddha who compassionately accepts the suffering and wishes of all people and transforms himself to provide guidance. His majestic appearance is adorned with a gentle smile and deep compassion, purifying the hearts of those who worship him and bringing them peace and happiness.

Enshrined here on Shodoshima, the principal image watches over the island as a symbol of peace and compassion, gently embracing all who visit.

Each of us has a guardian deity connected to our birth year's zodiac sign. These twelve guardian deities protect all beings through their respective zodiac signs, warding off misfortune and guiding lives toward a better path.

Please pay your respects before your own guardian deity and pray for daily protection.

Born in the Year of the Rat: Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva
Born in the Year of the Ox or Tiger: Kokuzo Bodhisattva
Born in the Year of the Rabbit: Monju Bodhisattva
Born in the Year of the Dragon or Snake: Fugen Bodhisattva
Born in the Year of the Horse: Seishi Bodhisattva
Born in the Year of the Sheep or Monkey: Dainichi Nyorai
Born in the Year of the Rooster: Fudō Myōō
Born in the Year of the Dog/Boar: Amida Nyorai

These guardian deities are also revered statues crafted by the hands of Master Sorin Matsuhisa, a leading Buddhist sculptor of our time. The compassion and prayers poured into each statue quietly watch over all visitors, connecting them with bonds of peace and happiness. Additionally, omikuji fortune slips are available before your personal guardian deity. Please join your hands in prayer and receive new connections and daily guidance through the omikuji.

The Great Kannon of Shodoshima enshrines a sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, a memento of the Buddha's venerable countenance. This tooth relic is a sacred fragment of Shakyamuni Buddha, graciously shared from the World Heritage site, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalaada Maligawa Temple) in Sri Lanka. The Buddha tooth is considered one of the most sacred relics in Buddhism, symbolizing the virtue, wisdom, and compassion of Sakyamuni Buddha.

When visiting, you may offer prayers by placing your hands together before the Buddha tooth and pouring sweet tea over it. Sweet tea originates from the custom of the Kanbutsu-e (Flower Festival), celebrating the Buddha's birth. It is said that pouring sweet tea over the birth Buddha bestows a pure heart and happiness. This practice is believed to bring peace and righteous guidance to daily life, leading to many blessings: health and longevity for body and teeth, household safety, academic success, and more.

Placed with heartfelt devotion beneath the compassionate hands of Shodoshima Great Kannon, may all visitors be enveloped in the Buddha's wisdom and peace. Please join your hands in prayer before the Buddha's tooth, pour sweet tea over it, and offer your devotion while reflecting on the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha.

※ Photography is prohibited only inside the “Buddha's Tooth Chamber.” The Buddha's tooth can only be viewed by those who pay direct homage.

Surrounding the Sutra Copying Hall are enshrined five hundred statues of Kannon.
Each Kannon quietly watches over the wishes of worshippers, bestowing blessings and peace through compassion and wisdom.

Sutra copying is performed within the temple grounds, and completed sutras are offered at the Sutra Copying Hall.
For 1,000 yen per scroll, you can experience sutra copying and make an offering.
By carefully writing each character with devotion, your gratitude is imbued within the scroll, allowing you to receive deeper merit and precious protection. When offering your sutra, please join your hands before the sacred forms of the Five Hundred Kannon and offer your prayers with a calm heart.

The Five Hundred Kannon Bodhisattvas, together with the Great Kannon Bodhisattva, are revered beings who protect the happiness and peace of all who visit. When you come to the Sutra Copying Hall, please also join your hands in prayer before the Five Hundred Kannon Bodhisattvas, praying for daily peace and purity of heart.

At the feet of Shodoshima's Great Kannon statue, one hundred Kannon statues carved in stone are enshrined.
These Kannon statues combine the pilgrimage Kannon of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, the Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage, and the Bando 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, forming a sacred assembly that unites the faith of the entire nation.

Beneath the Great Kannon's compassionate hands, the Hundred Kannon at her feet bring peace and tranquility to the hearts of all who visit, bestowing blessings and forging bonds of happiness. When paying your respects, place your hands together before each of the Hundred Kannon statues and pray with a heart of gratitude to receive their precious protection. Please visit with a peaceful heart, enveloped in the compassion of the Shodoshima Great Kannon and the Hundred Kannon.

Within the temple grounds lies the Great prayer beads of Happiness.
Currently measuring approximately 120 meters in length, we continue our challenge to make it Japan's largest and the world's greatest Great prayer beads.

Each bead of this Great prayer beads is strung with the wishes and thoughts of worshippers, and it is said to possess the sacred power to connect people through bonds of happiness and peace. While the happiness of each individual is important, achieving happiness together leads to greater happiness.
When you visit, please join hands with others and pray while feeling these sacred connections.

We are currently accepting special dedications where up to three names can be engraved on a single bead for 15,000 yen.
By having your own or your family's names engraved on a bead, you become part of this Great prayer beads of Happiness and can receive lasting blessings. Please take this opportunity to leave your name on the Great prayer beads of Happiness and participate in this precious connection.

The Sacred Bond Between Shodoshima Great Kannon and Sri Lanka's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic

Sri Lanka's Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (official name:Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple) is one of the world's foremost sacred sites, enshrining the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. It is also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millions of pilgrims visit annually, drawing profound devotion that transcends national borders.
From this revered Sri Dharadharamaramigawa Temple, the Shodoshima Great Kannon received a sacred tooth relic (a manifestation of Shakyamuni Buddha) which is now enshrined with utmost care in the Shaka-den Hall at its summit. This represents an extremely rare and precious connection, allowing those on Shodoshima to receive the merit of being directly connected to the true presence of the Buddha.
The shared prayer of Shodoshima Great Kannon and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic for “world peace and the happiness of all people” transcends borders and religions, bringing light and peace to the hearts of all who visit.

Introduction to Qinglong Temple in Xi'an, China

Qinglong Temple in Xi'an, China, is a deeply revered temple where Kukai, the Great Master Kobo, traveled to Tang China in 804 to study Esoteric Buddhism under his teacher, Master Huijia. Kukai devoted himself to copying sutras, meditation, and performing esoteric rituals from early morning until late at night. He also undertook solitary training in the mountains to sharpen his mind. The Reverend Keika recognized his sincere nature and taught him the essence of Shingon esoteric Buddhism and its secret rites, one by one.Through this learning, Kūkai attained profound enlightenment and mastered the power of the Dharma. He brought these teachings back to Japan, laying the foundation for the Shingon sect.
The grounds of Qinglong Temple feature solemn temple buildings evoking its long history, surrounded by a tranquil space immersed in the changing seasons of nature. Visitors can trace the paths and meditation spots where Kūkai devoted himself to practice, touching the breath of history, finding peace of mind, and gaining profound insights. The weight of history residing in each stone pavement and hall, along with the teachings of master and disciple, convey a sense of profound gratitude to those who visit.
Furthermore, Shodoshima Great Kannon cherishes its longstanding connection with its sister temple, Seiryūji in Xi'an, China, fostering bonds of faith and learning. Visiting while feeling this deep connection to the temple where the Great Master learned the essence of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism is a precious experience that brings peace and happiness to the heart.

photo:Liuxingy、「雁塔 乐游原·青龙寺 11.jpg」、license:CC BY-SA 4.0