What kind of Buddhist holy place is Kyoto?

Kyoto is located in the central and western part of Honshu Island, in the northern part of the Kyoto Basin, and is a city in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

Kyoto, formerly known as Heian-kyo, is the historical ancient capital of Japan and the center of Japanese Buddhism. It is called the "hometown of the soul" by the Japanese and enjoys the reputation of "the real Japan". Kyoto has many cultural heritages and is the origin of traditional crafts such as Japanese textiles, ceramics, lacquerware, and dyed fabrics. It is a place with a strong Japanese style. The entire urban construction of Kyoto is modeled after the structure of Luoyang and Chang'an in ancient China. Kyoto currently has more than 1,000 temples, 242 shrines, 60 gardens and 3 imperial palaces. It is known as "one temple in three steps, one temple in seven steps". In 1994, its 17 temples were included in the World Cultural Heritage List. These include Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Ginkakuji Temple, Tenryuji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Enryakuji Temple, Takayamaji Temple, Ninwaji Temple, Saihoji Temple, Toji Temple, Daigoji Temple, Nishi Honganji Temple, Kamigamo Shrine, and Shimogamo Shrine. Duck Shrine, Ujigami Shrine, Byodo-in Phoenix Hall. The gorgeous natural scenery and exquisite cultural landscape have become important conditions for Kyoto to attract 56 million visitors annually. This is a tourist paradise.

There are many myths and legends in Kyoto, Japan, and among these legends, the legend of the Tengu is the most famous. The image of Tengu in Japan is very different from the image of Tengu in China. The Chinese Tengu is believed to be the nephew of the Jade Emperor, the roaring dog of Erlang God, and is usually a symbol of loyalty. However, the image of Tengu in Japan is that of a tall, strange guy wearing monk robes and high-toothed clogs, with wings, a red face and a long nose, and holding a feather fan and a mallet. It looks more like a deformed monk. People think that Tengu is a monster with super powers, and it is also the most powerful one among monsters. There are four theories about the origin of Japan’s Tengu.

One theory: Chinese merchants came to Japan in the Edo period and spread the Chinese Tengu story to Japan, but it was later processed again to make it more Japanese.

The second theory: The ancient Japanese were extremely afraid and awe of meteors, so they combined the stories of Chinese Tengu to create the image of Japanese Tengu.

The third theory: There was a medicinal material called "Amakusa" in ancient China. After it was introduced to Japan, its sound changed and it was called Tengu.

The last theory: People think that the source of the image of the Japanese Tengu should be Saruta Hikomei, because in the book "Kojiki" he once described his strange appearance and complexion as red as physalis, which is different from the image of the Tengu. Somewhat similar.

In Japan, there are many legends about Tengu, some of which are more famous.

It is said that the chief priest of Sakushima Hachiken Palace often argued with the Tengu hiding in the mountains. There was a heated debate that finally angered the Tengu, so he was torn apart by the Tengu and died. The condition was horrific. There is also a legend that Emperor Sotoku of Japan died in hatred after his defeat. Before his death, he swore a poisonous oath, "I am willing to be the great demon of Japan, kill the people for the emperor, kill the emperor for the people, and this country will always be in trouble." In the end, his resentful spirit turned into a tengu and harmed the world.

These myths all say that Tengu is terrifying, but there are also myths that describe the image of Tengu as a benevolent god. The most famous ones are the Tengu of Kurama Temple and the Tengu of Myokei Temple. Legend has it that when Minamoto Yoshitsune was fostered in Kurama Temple by his defeated father Minamoto Yoshitsune, he vowed to help his father defeat the enemy when he grew up, so he practiced martial arts diligently. By chance, he met a strange man with a red face, a long nose, and a feather fan. It turned out that he was the mythical Tengu. The Tengu then said to him: If you want to conquer the Taira family, I will teach you the art of war and swordsmanship. So after that, Minamoto Yoshitsune studied the art of war with him, and eventually became an outstanding military commander, and finally defeated the Taira clan.

Once when Master Xiang Yu, the abbot of Miaoqing Temple, went out, he saw a group of children playing with something. So he stepped forward to have a look. It turned out to be a captured eagle. So Master Xiang Yu bought the eagle and released it. However, that night, a white-haired old monk came to the Master's bedside and said that the eagle released during the day was actually him, and he was the Tengu. He came here specially to thank the Master. Before leaving, the Tengu also gave the Master a piece of wood with the words "There will never be a fire in Miaoqing Temple" written on it.