Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues - Kyoto

Located at different parts of Higashiyama District in Kyoto City, the Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues refer to the 9 Buddhist statues and altar objects that are believed to grant those who touch them with specific blessings and/or protection. 

Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues

Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues Details

These Buddhist statues are called by many names like Furebotoke, Sawaribotoke, or Iyashihotoke. Visitors are urged to touch these statues or altar objects with their right hand or both hands to receive the blessings or generally merits. 

Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues


Below are the 9 Healing Buddist Statues, where to find them, and what merits one can receive for touching them.


1. Statues of Hideyoshi and Nene
Location: Kodaiji Temple vicinity near the Temmangu
Merit(s): It is believed that those who touch these statues get merits for a happy marriage. For those who are single, it is believed that they will get merits for being surrounded by many good people. 


2. Temmangu
Location: Kodaiji Temple vicinity
Merit(s): It is believed that if one walks around this hall three times, a wish will be granted and misfortunes will be warded off.


3. Mani Wheels
Location: Kodaiji Temple vicinity, installed around the Temmangu
Merit(s): A common Buddhist object used for prayers, the Mani Wheels of Kodaiji contains the heart sutra. It is believed that one earns merit by turning all the mani wheels once while walking clockwise around the hall. By doing so, it will grant a wish in connection to health and longevity. 


4. Temmangu Ox
Location: Kodaiji Temple vicinity near the Temmangu
Merit(s): It is believed that those suffering an ailment should touch the corresponding body part of the ox with their right hand or both hands, in that way the ox will bear the suffering of that person. 


5. Daikokuten (Indian deity)
Location: Outside Entokuin Temple along the Nene Road
Merit(s): One of the seven gods of good fortune in Indian Culture, Daikokuten is the god of good luck. It is believed that touching the statue will grant one's wish for prosperity.



6. Marishi-ten (Indian deity)
Location: Outside Shunko-in Temple along Nene Road
Merit(s): An Indian deity that is believed to offer protection, good fortune, and victory. This deity is revered by samurai warriors of olden times. It is believed that touching this statue will grant one's wish of becoming better in contests of wit or skill.


7. Three Jizo
Location: Outside Korin-in Temple, can be reached by walking through a small alleyway at the far end of Nene Road.
Merit(s): It is believed that touching these statues will grant one's wish of becoming a positive person by helping him see, talk, and listen first rather than lead a life of ignorance.


8. Hotei (a potbelly deity of good fortune)
Location: Outside Gesshin-in Temple
A Chinese Zen Buddhist god of fortune and guardian of children. 
Merit(s): It is believed that touching the statue particularly at the head or belly will bring one prosperity.


9. Wishing Ball
Location: Inside Ryozen Kannon vicinity. To get near it one has to pay a 300 yen admission fee
Merit(s): It is believed that one's wish will be granted if one walks around the wishing ball many times while touching the ball with the right hand. 

I first found out about these statues during the 4th day of our 2019 trip to Japan. Although I'm not a Buddhist and hardcore believer of lucky charms and merits, I was still intrigued and challenged to locate all the statues. I'm happy to share that I managed to locate all 9 Healing Buddhist Statues of Higashiyama in less than an hour but I was 300 yen poorer at the end. 

Why visit the Higashiyama Healing Buddhist Statues?

If you are a believer in luck, then you should try locating all statues and altar objects. In my opinion, I think there is nothing wrong with giving oneself hope to improve health, wealth, work, and love. You might be 300 yen poorer but the fun in locating these statues and the accumulated merits (if you believe in them) will be worth it. 

Getting to Higashiyama District:

 

From Kyoto Station, ride bus number 100 or 206. Board down at Higashiyama Yasui bus stop. From there walk to Nene Road and once there, you may look for the Healing Buddha Statues in the vicinity. 

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Location: Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Japan

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