Saihōzan Muryōju-in Chōraku-ji Temple
Sect: Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism
Principal Image: Amida Nyorai (Amitābha Buddha)
Mantra: On Amiritateisei Karaun
Founder: Yuson Shōnin
Established: First year of the Keian era (1648)
In earlier times, there existed four temples in this area:
Okano-bō; Nyohō-ji (founded before the Tenshō era, with Eleven-Headed Kannon as its principal image); Shōgon-ji (enshrining Avalokiteśvara / Kannon Bosatsu); and Anyō-ji (founded by Kūkai during the Enryaku era, with Yakushi Nyorai as its principal image).
During the Tenshō era, these temples fell into ruin after being destroyed by warfare caused by the invasion of Chōsokabe Motochika. Their principal images were subsequently enshrined together at the site of Okano-bō (present-day Shimodera-yashiki), where Chōraku-ji was established.
Later, in an effort to enhance the dignity and standing of the temple, Yuson Shōnin, regarded as its restorer, rebuilt Chōraku-ji at its current, higher location in the first year of the Keian era (1648).
Among the temple’s treasured holdings are the “Yo-Ryu Kannon Painting on Silk,” designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the “Mandala Depicting the Life of Kōbō Daishi,” designated as a Cultural Property of Tokushima Prefecture.
