Water Temple, A serene journey from lotus pond to sacred temple

1310 Ura, Awaji city, Hyogo prefecture 656-2305 Japan

4.5

Introduction

The Water Hall is a building located on the hillside behind Honpukuji Temple in Japan, built in 1991. The entire structure is inclined from top to bottom, with a lotus pond on the ground and a shrine underground. To reach the Water Hall, one must pass through the old temple, follow a lush green path, and traverse some concrete walls. Upon arriving at a spacious area covered with white gravel, one can go around a curved wall to find an oval-shaped lotus pond. The building is hidden beneath the lotus pond, requiring descent down the stairs in the center of the pond, as if entering the water. Unlike common religious buildings that rise upward, the design of the Water Hall slowly leads into the temple amidst the surrounding lotus pond, cleansing the soul. The tranquility by the lotus pond carries a Zen essence, while the shrine exudes a solemnity that should not be taken lightly. After passing through a mysterious passage, one enters the main hall, where the columns and walls inside are square, with light contrasting sharply with the outside. The entire hall is red, with the Buddha statue facing east, and the slanting sunlight filtering through the back of the statue casts a long shadow on the ground, further deepening the red tone that envelops the worshippers. This unique and mysterious atmosphere elevates them above the daily hustle and bustle.