Zenrakuji/Anrakuji
"The Temple of True Joy/The Temple of Everlasting Joy"
So, these temples are pretty interesting because they fight over which one of them is the 30th temple. The original temple 30 is Zenrakuji. The fight began in 1868 when Zenrakuji was damaged in a riot during the return of Shintōism, and the Buddhist purge following the Meiji Restoration. The Shinto Shrine and statue of Kobo Daishi that once resided in Zenrakuji were moved to temple 29. Eventually the Shrine was moved to Anraquji which then began calling itself temple 30. For over half a century pilgrims were not allowed to visit the original grounds of Zenrakuji. Supporters of Zenrakuji tried to get it rebuilt and re-established as temple 30, but they were unsuccessful at first. Anraquji was declared temple 30 and Zenrakuji a "place of historical significance". However. negotiations continue to this day and Zenrakuji is the current temple 30.
It's a little weird to think about building having rivalries don't you think? Well, I think so. It's one of those things that doesn't seem like it could apply to an inanimate object. Anyway, I thought these temples were pretty cool even though we only got to go to Zenrakuji.
