Revealing the Shaka Nyorai Buddha Statue of the Inner Sanctuary and the Western Pagoda of the Shakyamuni Hall

For the first time in seven years, Enryakuji Temple, a World Heritage Site on the summit of Mt. Hiei, will open its inner sanctuary of the Shakyamuni Hall and the statue of Shaka Nyorai to the public.

In the spirit of Tendai Buddhism's "Light Up Your Corner," which advocates becoming a positive influence in your corner of the world, Mt. Hiei's Enryakuji Temple will be hosting an annual interdenominational religious summit for world peace. This year, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Enryakuji Temple's registration as a World Heritage site, a special exhibition will be held for the first time in seven years in the Shakyamuni Hall, the temple's oldest extant building. The previous public viewing of the cloistered statue of Shaka Nyorai Buddha—33 years after its initial opening—was attended by over 100,000 people.

This time, in addition to the revealing of the main statue of Shaka Nyorai in the inner sanctuary, there will also be a special DANDELION PROJECT exhibition, a participatory art project by artist Ryotaro Muramatsu based on the idea of connecting the world with transcendental prayers for peace. Stand in front of the DANDELION art installation amidst the soft candlelit interior of the Shakyamuni Hall and blow dandelion seeds carrying prayers for peace along the wall through projection mapping. Experience a new world of Buddhism through the latest in digital art technology at the Enryakuji Temple's oldest building.

Enryakuji Temple has long sent messages of peace to connect people. Now it will preserve history and transmit this desire for peace to the next generation through art, which is capable of communicating beyond words.