Bairin-ji (Kurume)

Bairin-ji (梅林寺) is a Rinzai temple in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Its honorary sangō prefix is Kōnanzan (江南山). It is known as a representative training dojo temple of the Myōshin-ji school in Kyushu which faces the clear stream of the Chikugo River.[1]

The sanmon gate
The zen meditation hall of Bairin-ji

History
The Mausoleum of Arima clan

The temple was originally located in Fukuchiyama and called Zuigan-ji (瑞巌寺). In 1620, however, Arima Toyōji (有馬豊氏) who was transferred from Fukuchiyama Domain (福知山藩) in the Tanba Province to Kurume Domain, started to move to the present location in the following year. Later it was renamed to Bairin-ji which is associated with his father Noriyori's posthumous name, Bairin'in-den (梅林院殿) and became a mausoleum of the successive Kurume Domain. There remains a grave of the Arima clan, including Toyōji.

Important Cultural Properties

The colored silk wooden Avalokiteśvara statue in the main hall is the work of the Kamakura period.

The Garden
Plum Garden at Bairin-ji

The Gaien (外苑) is a garden which is adjacent to Chikugo River side to the north side. Approximately 30 species of 500 plums donated by the citizens, and many azaleas are planted in the garden. It was opened as a park in 1958 to commemorate the 350 years old of the founding priest, Umon Genkyū Zenji (禹門玄級禅師).[2]

References
  1. 梅林寺[臨済宗妙心寺派][福岡県久留米市京町209]-お寺めぐりの友 [Bairin-ji] (in Japanese). hakataboy.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  2. 梅林寺 [Bairin-ji] (in Japanese). Kurume Convention Bureau. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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