Myoken Bodhisattva
Myoken is the God of the North Star. He is also the guaudian of horses. Myoken is also referred to as a Bodhisattva because of his compassionate guidance. In ancient times Samurai made the journey to Myoken San to pray for a good horse. Farmers also came to Myoken mountain to pray for good harvests as the use of horses was also prominant on the farm. Many statues of horses line the walkway up the mountain. Because of the legend of Myoken coming down and landing on the branch of a tree to speak with Nichiren Shonin just before going to Izu from Kamakura, the mountain would later become a pilgrimage site for Nichiren Buddhist. Nichiren refered to Myojoten which is believed to be a reference to Myoken. A Temple was founded by Nichiken in the 1600's atop the mountain. The modern Temple was built around 10 years ago and is sitting atop Myoken San. It is a glass and metal construction in a star shape. In its center is a shrine with a small statue of Myoken. Floating in the air are the four Bodhisattvas of the earth. All the floors are glass except the bottom one, so when you enter the main hall (3rd floor) you are floating in the air with the Bodhisattvas. Myoken is depicted sometimes standing on a turtle slowly crossing the night sky or on a rock with his sword held over his head.
The connection has not been forgotten in Nichiren Buddhism and Myoken shrines can be found in many Nichiren Temples including Houston Texas. He is prayed to by many for guidance.
Below is a few pictures of Rev. Faulconer and then still Shami Myokei visiting Myoken san, 2006.
Myken San is located about a hour or so south west of Kyoto by car. It is off the beaten path and is difficult to get to by train. Easiest method is by car. You can drive most of the way up the mountain these days but the parking lot is still a ways down the hill. The image below is from Google Maps Japan. If your browser supports Kanji, put in the characters for myo ken san (seen in dark characters at the top of the picture) and you will be taken directly to the map. Sorry, but it does not work to well with roman characters. On the map you can see the star shapped Myoken hall. A grouping of other halls, shrines and living quarters for the ministers can also be seen.
Shami Myokei heading toward the path leading to the top of the mountain.
As you get closer to the top the Myoken hall comes into view.
Almost there.
The view from the main platform just outside the Myoken hall. Myoken San is located in a remote mountanous area.
On the third story of the Myoken hall is the Altar. The floor is glass so that you can be in the air with the bodhisattvas of the earth. Here a carpet has been put down as many people where getting nervous about stepping out onto the glass and being able to see three stories down. They did pull the carpet back for us to get the feeling. Because it was Myoken's feast day many people were visiting the Temple and special services were being done. You can see the corner of the old main hall through the glass from here (left hand side of picture above). It is just around the corner of the summit from the new main hall. The alter in this hall is very simple and small on purpose.
The Four Bodhisattvas are done in a lifelike manner supended from the ceiling above your heads on either side. Two are represented as male and two as female to show all people.
To the side of the Myoken hall the path winds to the other side of the summit where the Hondo (main hall) and several older more traditional buildings sit. The original Myoken hall is also present in this location.
It was in the Hondo (main hall) that we met with Bishop Ueda and received the beautiful Omandala that he had made with the help of this wonderful artist for the Houston Temple. The image of Myoken was created by the artist while sitting in front of the original statue housed in the old Myoken hall.
The Houston Temple's Omandala.
The Myoken image at the top of page was drawn by Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer.
Please do not use any of these images without first getting permission from Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer or Rev. Myokei Caine-Barrett.