Saifukuji and Its Traditions
The temple’s reputation for protection from lightning originates from an old legend. Because of this tradition, people working in the electric power industry and other electrical-related professions have visited Saifukuji to pray for protection from lightning.
The temple also offers prayers related to the ears based on the spiritual benefits traditionally associated with its principal image, Eleven-Headed Kannon. Worshippers visit to pray for recovery from ear ailments and for good hearing and clear ears.
Lightning has traditionally been associated with Tenjin, a deity connected with thunder and lightning. For this reason, students preparing for entrance examinations also visit Saifukuji to pray that they will not “fall” in their examinations, making the temple a destination for prayers for academic success.
A Place Associated with Chogen
Shunjobō Chogen, the Buddhist monk famous for his efforts to rebuild Todaiji Temple in Nara, is traditionally said to have been born in this area.
A gravestone of Chogen stands within the temple grounds, adding another layer of historical significance to Saifukuji.
History of Saifukuji
Origins Dating Back More Than 1,300 Years
The history of Saifukuji is said to go back approximately 1,360 years. The temple’s predecessor was known as Busshoji Temple. According to tradition, a monk named Shami Gyogyo copied the Daihannya-kyo, or Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, and devoted himself to prayers in an effort to protect the area from repeated lightning strikes.
A surviving manuscript of the Daihannya-kyo at Jorakuji Temple in Mie Prefecture contains a record dating from 765, the second year of the Tenpyo Shoho era, referring to these prayers. This provides a historical connection between the area and the tradition of protecting the land from lightning.
The Legend of Protection from Lightning
The Story of the Lightning Well
Saifukuji preserves a fascinating legend associated with Chogen and a rainmaking ceremony.
According to the story, Chogen was conducting a ritual to pray for rain when dark thunderclouds suddenly covered the sky and a heavy evening shower struck the temple grounds.
At that moment, lightning struck a well on the temple grounds. An elderly woman who happened to be washing clothes there is said to have captured the lightning inside the well.
The lightning desperately begged the woman for forgiveness and promised, “I will never strike this Kuwabara area again.” The woman then released the lightning from the well.
Since then, the area has been associated with the belief that lightning will not strike here, and the tradition of praying for protection from lightning continues to this day.
The Origin of “Kuwabara, Kuwabara”
The Japanese expression “Kuwabara, Kuwabara”, traditionally uttered when thunder is heard, is said to originate from this legend.
The phrase is associated with the place name Kuwabara and came to be widely recognized as an expression used to ward off lightning.
Annual Events at Saifukuji
Various Buddhist ceremonies are held throughout the year at Saifukuji, attracting many worshippers. Major annual events include the following.
Prayers for Academic Success
January 1–3: A Buddhist memorial and prayer service is held for students and others preparing for entrance or qualification examinations. The prayers incorporate the temple’s tradition of protection from lightning, expressing the wish that visitors will not “fall” in their examinations.
Setsubun Ceremony and Goma Prayers
February 3: Goma fire rituals are held on Setsubun. Visitors pray for protection from misfortune and lightning.
Ear Day Ceremony
March 3: In connection with Ear Day in Japan, prayers are offered for recovery from ear-related ailments and for good hearing. Many visitors come seeking the protection of Eleven-Headed Kannon.
Chogen Memorial Ceremony and Flower Offering
April 18: Chogen Memorial Day is held to honor the monk and remember his achievements. A flower offering ceremony is also conducted, filling the temple grounds with seasonal flowers.
Obon Memorial and Segaki Ceremony
August 12–15: Buddhist ceremonies for Obon and Segaki are held to honor ancestors and remember deceased people.
How to Get to Saifukuji
By Public Transportation
JR Hanwa Line – Izumi-Fuchu Station: Saifukuji is approximately a 15-minute walk from Izumi-Fuchu Station.
By Car
Parking facilities are available in the surrounding area. During busy periods, visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.
Lightning Protection and Cultural Heritage
Saifukuji is closely associated with the local tradition of praying for protection from lightning. The temple’s stories and religious practices connected with thunder and lightning have attracted worshippers for generations.
The temple grounds also contain valuable historical remains, including the gravestone of Chogen, contributing to the site’s cultural and historical importance.
Prayers for Lightning Protection and Ear Blessings
In addition to prayers for protection from lightning, Saifukuji is known for Buddhist prayers and blessings related to the ears through the temple’s principal image, Eleven-Headed Kannon.
Visitors pray for recovery from ear-related ailments and for good hearing. These distinctive traditions, combining prayers for protection from lightning with beliefs concerning the ears, are an important part of Saifukuji’s religious character.
Highlights of Saifukuji Temple
Saifukuji is known for its distinctive traditions, including the legend of the Lightning Well and prayers for protection from lightning and for healthy hearing.
The temple’s history is also associated with Shunjobō Chogen, who is traditionally said to have been born in this area and whose gravestone remains on the temple grounds. Together, these legends and historical connections give Saifukuji a unique place in the cultural heritage of southern Osaka.
Visitors can explore the temple’s quiet grounds while learning about the local traditions surrounding lightning, Buddhist prayer, and the historical figure of Chogen. Saifukuji offers a peaceful opportunity to experience a distinctive aspect of the religious and cultural heritage of Izumi.