The grounds of Hokongo-in are filled with pots of lotus plants.
Hokongo-in's pond, buried beneath lotus leaves.
Pure white lotus flower.
Looking at the umbrella sized leaves of the larger lotus plants.
Emperor Montoku (文徳天皇 827-58) ordered the temple expanded, adding an imperial prayer hall called Tenan-ji (天安寺).
Montoku's will would later provide enough for a community of 80 monks at Hōkongō-in. This considerable number hints at the temple's size and prestige!
#法金剛院 #Hokongoin #Kyoto #京都