Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple [The Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism]

念佛宗三寶山無量壽寺 総本山　「佛教之王堂」

Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple

The Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism

Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Temple has deep connection with the Kingdom of Cambodia

Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple is the sacred place for the 520 million Buddhists in the world with the precincts of 182 ha and it is the largest and most magnificent Buddhist temple of its kind in the world. It stands in Kami-mikusa, Kato City, Hyogo Pref. in Japan. At the Fourth Buddhist Summit held in November 2005, where the supreme Buddhist leadersin the world assembled, the establishment of the temple as the sacred place for all Buddhists in the world was proposed and unanimously agreed. Thus, this grand Buddhist temple was inaugurated in November 2008.

H.M. the late King Father and H.M. the King of Cambodia dedicated Buddha images

In the Sakyamuni Hall of this temple, the Buddha images dedicated by H.M. the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni are enshrined. H.M. the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk was a great king revered as the “Father of Independence of the Kingdom of Cambodia” and Buddhist Summit conferred the honorary title, “Supreme Royal Father of World Buddhism” on His Late Majesty. H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni was conferred the honorary title, “Preah Sri Loka Dhammika Raja,” (Virtuous King for Propagation of Buddhism in the World) by Buddhist Summit. Also, enshrined are the Buddha images dedicated by the supreme Buddhist leaders from 47 countries including H.H. Tep Vong, Great Supreme Patriarch of Mahanikaya Order, and H.H. Bour Kry, Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayuttikanikaya Order of Cambodia. Also, Kings, Royal Families, Heads of State, and national leaders in the world have dedicated the Buddha images to this temple.

In the Sutra Hall, respectfully stored arethe “All the scriptures of Buddhism” dedicated by the supreme Buddhist leaders in the world including Cambodia.　

Visits of Their Majesties to this Buddhist temple　

T.M. the Kings and the Royal Family members of Cambodia have visited this Buddhist temple on several occasions.

In June 2004, H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni, the then Crown Prince, attended the Framework-raising Ceremony of this temple on behalf of H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk, and delivered his speech as the chief guest of honor.

In November 2008, T.M. King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk attended the Inauguration Ceremony of Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple, the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism, as the chief guests of honor. H.M. Norodom Sihanouk sincerely delivered his congratulatory message in the presence of the supreme Buddhist leaders and national leaders from 32 countries in the world. Their Majesties also attended the opening ceremony of the Fifth Buddhist Summit held in the International Buddhist Conference Hall in Honor of H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia. The conference hall, constructed in the temple precincts, was graciously granted the honorable name of His Majesty.

In May 2010, H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni was officially invited by the government of Japan as a state guest. On this occasion, after the official schedule in Tokyo and Kyoto, H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni visited Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple, Nenbutsushu Kyoto Betsuin Temple, Nenbutsushu Toriimoto Guesthouse, and Ogurayama Villa in Kyoto.

In December 2014, H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni, as the chief guest of honor, attended the Sixth Buddhist Summit held at Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Head Temple. The supreme Buddhist leaders from 41 countries across the 5 continents in the world including T.H. the Great Supreme Patriarchs of Cambodia attended this international conference. His Majesty the King declared the opening of the Sixth Buddhist Summit.

On April 8, 2018, thefestive ceremony of the Fourth International Buddhist Day was graced with the attendance of His Majesty as the chief guest of honor and H.R.H. Princess Norodom Buppha Devi as the honorable guest. His Majesty attended the opening ceremonies of the Sattapanniguha Auditorium and the Royal Ceremonial Hall, both were constructed in honor of H.M. King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.

Other Royal Family members have also visited this Buddhist temple for attending the festive ceremony of International Buddhist Day as well as the inauguration ceremonies of Nenbutsushu Betsuin temples. Furthermore, T.H. the Great Supreme Patriarchs, many high priests, high government officials, and pious Buddhists of Cambodia have also visited this temple to offer their prayers.

The royal relics of H.M. King Norodom Sihanouk are enshrined in this temple forever

When H.M. King Father Norodom Sihanouk passed away on October 15, 2012, Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Temple immediately held the Grand Memorial Service for the repose of the soul of His Late Majesty at the head temple and all Nenbutsushu Betsuin temples throughout Japan and has conducted a memorial service thereafter every year.

The royal relics of H.M. King Father Norodom Sihanouk are enshrined in the Main Hall of this Buddhist temple. There is no other place in the world where the royal relics of H.M. the King Father are enshrined outside the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Official website of Nenbutsushu Sampozan Muryojuji Temple

（Japanese）念佛宗三寶山無量壽寺 総本山　「佛教之王堂」　http://www.nenbutsushu.or.jp/

（English）　http://nenbutsushu.or.jp/eng/