\n
\nThe colorful Konpondaito Pagoda marks the geographical center of the area.
\n
<\/p>\nAn interesting cluster of temples is located near the center of Koya-san, where Kobodaishi first established his monastery.
\n
\nThe colorful Konpondaito Pagoda marks the geographical center of the area.
\n<\/p>\n
The Kondo Hall was first built in 819, though it has burned down and been reconstructed numerous times since then.
\n
<\/p>\n
A platoon of trainee monks double-times it into the square. They stop to pray at each point of interest.
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Shinto shrine is located near the temples.
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
When Kobodaishi first came to the mountains looking for a place to found his monastery he met a hunter with two dogs. The hunter gave the dogs to Kobodaishi and they led him to Koya-san.
\n
<\/p>\n
The hunter was actually the son of the goddess of the mountain. When Kobodaishi climbed up to Koya-san she appeared to him and gave him the land.<\/p>\n
Once he had established his monastery Kobodaishi ordered the construction of a Shinto shrine to house the goddess and her son, and also to demonstrate that there is no conflict between his teachings and Japan’s native religious traditions.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless the shrine was almost empty. The people who come here are mostly interested in the temples.<\/p>\n
This is a very old temple. It is supposed to have been built in 1197 and never burned down.
\n
<\/p>\n
Another pagoda
\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n