A little further up from Mandala-ji, there is Shusshaka-ji. This temple is also small, and interestingly, the main temple and Taishi-do are attached to each other.

The inner temple, Shashin-ga-dake-zenjyo, looks actually interesting, but it requires more than 50 minutes climbing, so I gave up this time and worship from here.

When Kobo-Daishi was seven years old, he climbed Mt.Gahaishi and said, “In the future, I would like to enter the Buddhist monastery, spread the teachings of Buddha, and save many people. If my wish would be fulfilled, please show yourself to me, Shakyamuni Buddha. If my wish would not be fulfilled, I will give up my life and dedicate my body”. He then threw himself down from the precipice.

A purple cloud appeared, and Shakyamuni Buddha and a celestial maiden clad in feathers descended and embraced Kobo-Daishi in the cloud. Kobo-Daishi’s life was saved and his wishes were shown to come true. After that, Kobo-Daishi built the hall (Shasin-ga-dake-zenjyo) at the top of Mt.Gahaishi.