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Kannon-do hall
Amida-do hall
Jizo-do hall
Daikoku-do hall
Benten-do hall
Kyozo
Homotsukan
garden
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Tokudo-Shonin
Kannon-do Hall
The magnificent statue of Hase Kannon is housed here for all to see and
worship. It is 9.18 meters (30.1 ft.) tall and has eleven heads in addition
to its main one: three in front, three to the left and three to the right,
plus one at the top and another on back. Each face has a different expression,
signifying that the deity listens to the wishes of all types of people.
Hase Kannon is unique in that it holds a staff made of tin in its right
hand and a vase of lotus flowers in its left. Gold leaf was applied to
the statue in 1342 at the request of Ashikaga Takauji, and in 1392, Ashikaga
Yoshimitsu had the halo added. Although Kannon is usually described in
English as gthe Buddhist Goddess of Mercy,h strictly speaking it is neither
masculine nor feminine. Kannon is Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva--a Bodhisattva
is a future Buddha, destined for enlightenment, who has vowed to save
all sentient beings--and represents compassion, mercy, and love.
11-headed Kanzeon Bosatsu
(Hase Kannon)
Since the bell is made from clay, it will of course someday break. When it does break, it represent a substitution or replacement for actual evil. Instead of the bad luck happening to you, it happens to the bell, and it breaks.