Chionji (Japanese: 智恩寺) is a Buddhist temple located at the north of Kyoto Prefecture (京都府) in Japan, right next to the famous tourist attraction Amanohashidate (天橋立). Chionji is dedicated to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of wisdom.
The main entrance of the temple is a relic, it enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha and 16 Arhats.
The temple is extremely quiet in the early morning, only some locals who look like fishermen pray here.
No Ema (絵馬) is found in the temple, but the worshippers write down their prayers on a little paper fans, so elegant.
Chionji is not so big, but it is time-honored, Emperor Heizei (平城天皇; 806-809) had visited the temple Heian period (平安時代).
There is a stone structure named ‘Ring of Wisdom’ (智恵の輪) at the seaside. In the old days, locals would light a candle inside the ring when it was misty, functioning as a beacon.
