#80 （9th Temple） Hōrin-ji
法輪寺

The ninth temple is Hōrin-ji (法輪寺), notable for enshrining a reclining figure of Shaka Nyorai — the only temple among the eighty-eight whose principal image is a reclining Buddha.

It lies about 3.8 km from the tenth temple, out among the rice fields of the Awa plain.

This is the entrance to Hōrin-ji. The gate has a slightly unusual look to it, and yet it sits very handsomely at the front of the grounds.

Surrounded by open farmland, the temple feels calm and unhurried as you approach.

This is the main hall, where the reclining Shaka Nyorai is enshrined. Among all eighty-eight temples this is the only one to honour the Buddha in his reclining, nirvana-entering form, which makes it quietly memorable.

I offered incense and recited the sutra, mindful of how rare this image is on the route.

Next I recited the Heart Sutra at the Daishi-dō, before the statue of Kōbō Daishi.

I prayed for peace in the world, for the health of those close to me, and for the safe completion of a pilgrimage that was now steadily nearing its end.

The statue of Kōbō Daishi is placed so that it seems to watch over each pilgrim heading back down toward the gate — a quiet send-off on the way out.

Small touches like this are part of what gives each temple its own character.

NFT – Crypto Ohenro #80 Goshuin of Hōrin-ji（法輪寺） –

This is the goshuin of the ninth temple, Hōrin-ji, a quiet memento of this temple’s rare reclining Buddha.

Eight temples were left to go, the days slipping by one seal at a time.

The distance to the next temple was about 2.4 km, a short stroll across the open plain.