A BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND LOCAL CITIZENS BUILD A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY, WITH "ENVIRONMENT" AS KEYWORD

JFS Newsletter No.17 (January 2004)

Buddhism came to Japan in the first half of the sixth century AD from India via China and the Korean Peninsula. During the subsequent 700 years or so, Japanese Buddhism developed, incorporating local cultures and values. Zen, which is now known around the world, also evolved into uniquely Japanese forms in this period. As in other religions, Buddhism has many sects.

This article is about Higashi Honganji, the head temple of Shinshu Otani-ha, a major sect of Jodo Shinshu or Shin Buddhism founded by Shinran Shonin around 1200 AD. Shin Buddhism preaches that anybody can be saved equally by chanting the name of Amitabha Buddha (Nembutsu). This doctrine, called "Tariki-Hongan" (the Primal Vow of Other Power), suggests that even such a simple act as breathing cannot be done by one's own power alone, but by something more overwhelming, a power beyond the Self. Shin Buddhism is considered a religion based on such an awareness of one's existence.

One among many temples and shrines in Kyoto, Higashi Honganji, located near Kyoto Station and boasting a vast area of about 93,140 square meters, attracts not only the sect's followers from across the country but also domestic and foreign tourists. Higashi Honganji is where a cooperative project between temple, citizen and municipality has been organized to promote environmental conservation.

Higashi Honganji and Environmental Problems

Higashi Honganji decided to restore its buildings, Goeido, Amidado and Goeido-Mon for the 750th anniversary in 2011 of Shinran Shonin's death. At the final phase of its restoration planning in 2002, an idea was proposed to make this restoration not just a construction and repair project but also one to address environmental problems as well. Addressing the social problems of the day has always been an important role of temples.

With the environment in mind, Higashi Honganji monks conducted interviews with local citizens on the feasibility of introducing solar power roof tiles, the temple's roles in local disaster prevention, and the use of rainwater. Goeido, as well as Amidado, is known as one of the world-biggest wooden buildings, with a roof area of some 8,000 square meters, and as many as about 175,000 roof tiles. The plan to use solar power roof tiles, however, was shelved, because of a high priority given to keeping the original architecture of this cultural property as well as the high cost of developing glass roof tiles.

Instead, the temple decided to make continuous efforts such as greening of its grounds, rainwater utilization, and use of the grounds in raising environmental awareness. Young monks in charge of this program were initially unfamiliar with environmental problems. In fact, they first started learning about these problems only because they were assigned to the task. Once they started working on it, however, they made discovery after discovery about various examples of ancestors' wisdom, the situation surrounding Higashi Honganji, and the new opportunities.

For example, at the time of a previous restoration in 1895, Higashi Honganji introduced the latest fire-prevention facilities of the day because it had been burned by fire no less than four times during the Edo period (1603-1867). Right after the Biwako-sosui Canal from Lake Biwa was opened in 1890, a water line was also installed from the canal to the temple. The water line is made of steel pipe, 30 centimeters in inside diameter and 5 kilometers in length. Its high water intake point allows effective sprinkling of water over the 38 meter-high rooftop of Goeido, without the need for electrical power, to protect the building from fire by curtains of water. The water supplied through the water line has been used for the temple's moats as well as the ponds of the temple-owned Shoseien garden (also known as Kikokutei).

After 100 years of use, the water line's steel pipe has deteriorated and the water volume reduced. It has been affected by other problems such as deteriorating water quality and the invasion of exotic fish species in Lake Biwa, from which the water is drawn directly. As a result, ground water is increasingly being used to supplement this piped water.

The temple buildings, constructed with unique timber frame structures using big trees several hundred years old, were built to last more than a thousand years. And as Goeido is made of wood, clay and grass, and its materials will return to nature after its time has come.

Amid the urban development around Kyoto Station and rapid changes in the natural environment, the temple continues to be a valuable habitat for a variety of species, including fireflies and snapping turtles, and a breeding ground for egrets. The temple's Kikokutei serves as a perfect biotope, or mini-ecosystem.

Launch of "Citizens' Project to Plan a Sustainable Community with Higashi Honganji Temple"

In March 2003, some monks of Higashi Honganji attended the World Water Forum in Kyoto and met some members of People for Rainwater and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working to conserve the natural environment. The monks then realized that instead of working on their own, collaboration with a community (Shimogyo Ward or Kyoto City) was necessary to improve the communal environment.

The monks have invited various non-profit organizations to tour the temple, its moats, and Shoseien Garden, and held a symposium to consider collaboration between Higashi Honganji and citizens. This culminated in the launch on January 26, 2004, of the "Citizens' Project to Plan a Sustainable Community with Higashi Honganji Temple," with participation of the temple, local citizens, and participating NGOs.

The founding members will first exchange their opinions to decide on specific activities. The temple's plan includes the following activities: (1) use rainwater for cleaning roof tiles, (2) invite citizens to help clean the moats (work that used to be done by a cleaning company), (3) hold nature observation events in Shoseien Garden for local children and citizens, and (4) let people learn the wisdom of the ancestors by showing traditional buildings under restoration. Also being considered are educational walking tours around the town and symposiums on environmental issues.

The organizers hope that these budding efforts will spread to other temples and their followers across the country, and believe that small efforts for environmental conservation and education will bear great fruit in the long term.

Focusing on the environment as a keyword, this project also aims to restore the bonds between the temple and its neighboring residents.

Staff writer Hiroyo Hasegawa