Rooted in Koyasan
We are a temple dedicated to Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. Our spiritual roots are deeply connected to Mount Koya, the world headquarters of Shingon Buddhism.
The lineage continued through Kusanagi Zenko, who served as Dharma master to Koboji's third chief priest, Archbishop Dean Zenei Okimura.
Today, that relationship continues with Sanboin's chief priest, Abbot Hidaka Zenryu, Dharma master to Rev. Zennoh Miyagi.
Through these generations of teachers and disciples, Sanboin has remained an important spiritual home for Koboji and a living connection between our temple in Hawaiʻi and Koyasan.
Koboji's relationship with Koyasan Sanboin reaches back to the temple's founding and has continued through generations of teachers and disciples.
Koboji's first chief priest, Bishop Kakuo Okimura, was a disciple of Abbot Seki Eikaku, the first Bishop of Hawaiʻi, who later became chief priest of Sanboin. Abbot Seki also served as Dharma master to Archbishop Eisho Okimura and as preceptor for Rev. Kosho Okimura's formal training.
The Sanboin Lineage
580 Koyasan, Koya, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan
+81-736-56-2004
office@sanboin.org
Reservations may be made directly with Sanboin, and English inquiries are welcome by email.
For a fuller experience of Koyasan, consider spending a night in a shukubo, or Buddhist temple lodging.
Koyasan Sanboin also welcomes pilgrims and travelers for overnight stays. Guests can experience temple life, enjoy shojin ryori, and may have opportunities to join morning prayers or other Buddhist practices.
Staying overnight allows you to experience Koyasan after many daytime visitors have departed and to encounter the mountain not simply as a sightseeing destination, but as a living Buddhist community.