Shoren-in Temple

Shoren-in Temple is one of the three Monzeki temples along with Sanzen-in Temple and Myoho-in Temple. Another name of the temple is “Awata Gosho” (Awata Imperial Palace) as this temple served as a temporary imperial residence at the time of the Great Fire in 1788.
It is said that this temple originated from Shorenbo, one of the dormitories for priests built on Mt. Hiei by the high priest Saicho (the Reverend Denkyo Daishi), the founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. Later, it was moved to Sanjo-shirakawa (slightly northwest of the current location). Since the seventh prince of retired Emperor Toba became the head priest, the temple has been a Monzeki temple, where an imperial family member or a regency family member customarily assumes the chief priesthood .
The entire temple precinct has been designated as a Historic Site by the government. The garden, taking advantage of the location at the foot of Mt. Awata, is a gracious stroll garden with a lake named Ryushinchi (Heart-of-Dragon Pond). In front of the gate, along the Jingumichi Street, there are five giant camphor trees (Natural Monument registered by Kyoto City) legendarily planted by the high priest Shinran Shonin, who entered the priesthood at this temple.
Temple treasures include “The Picture of Fudo Myo-o with Two Children” (National Treasure), commonly known as “Blue Fudo, ” and many other cultural assets. The temple has an enclave at the top of a mountain east of Maruyama Park, where Shogunzuka Mound and Seiryuden hall are located, commanding a fine view of Kyoto City.
Kyoto City