Eihei-ji 永平寺

Sôtô Zen Buddhist temple / japanischer Tempel

Yoshida / Fukui prefecture

Buddhist monastery which is one of the two main monasteries in the lineage of Sōtō Zen. It was founded in the mid-13th century by the priest Dōgen, who turned to an ascetic life after his stay in China. Construction of the first complex was completed in 1244 and went by the name Daibutsu-ji (“Temple of the Great Buddha”). In 1246, the site was renamed Eihei-ji, which is also the name of the municipality in whose area the temple is currently located. After its complete destruction in 1473, it was not rebuilt until about 100 years later.