In the first year of the Reiwa era(2019), on the occasion of commemorating the 1200th anniversary of the passing of the great teacher Saichō, the Saichō 1200-Year Charm Exchange Committee was established (Chairman: Shingo Torii, Vice Chairman and Representative Director of Suntory Holdings Ltd.).

On July 24, at the Shiga Day stage in the EXPO Hall—and at the Konpon Chudo (Main Hall) of Enryaku-ji Temple, a World Heritage site—Tendai Buddhist monks will specially enshrine the “1200-Year Eternal Dharma Lamp,” which was originally lit 1200 years ago by Saichō and has burned continuously ever since.

For 1,200 years, this flame—passed down through generations—has been kindled in prayer for peace and tranquility, woven from one person to another. At the Osaka/Kansai Expo, under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” it will symbolize the preciousness of life shared among people and serve as an offering of prayer for world peace.

<About Eternal Dharma Lamp>
In AD 788 (the 7th year of the Enryaku era), when the great teacher Saichō established Ichijō Shikan-in—the predecessor of the Konpon Chudo —he lit a lamp in front of the treasured image of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha). Because this lamp has been kept burning continuously without ever being extinguished, it has come to be known as the ” Eternal Dharma Lamp.”

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[Simultaneously Held] Special Program at Mt .Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple

During the 2025 OSAKA-KANSAI EXPO, a special program will be held offering visitors the opportunity to experience “Kanjō”—an esoteric initiation ritual said to have been first transmitted to Japan by the great teacher Saichō.

＝2025 OSAKA-KANSAI EXPO　Special Program 「Experience of
Esoteric BuddhismーMandala and Buddhasー」 （temporary name）＝
【Overview of the event】
●Holding period: April 19（Sat） 2025 ～ May 11（Sun）
※Only held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the days.
（2025）July 19（Sat） ～ November 24（Mon）
●Venue:Mt Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple To-do area
●Special Exhibition Room on the 3rd Floor of Kokuho-den.
●Price:　　   Adults: 500 JPY Junior High/High School Students: 300JPY
Elementary Students: 100 JPY
(Standard admission fee for the Kokuho-den)                                                     ※A separate fee is required to enter the precinct visit the other halls of Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji.
●Organiser　Hieizan Enryaku-ji

On the 3rd floor of the Kokuho-den at Enryaku-ji, a panel exhibition related to the temple will be held alongside “Kechien Kanō”(bonding kanjyo ritual) experiential session will be parfomed.The ritual of “Kechien Knjō” been originally held in Kanjō do Hall.
While watching footage of the Kanjō ritual visitors will have the opportunity to experience a ritual in which they throw flowers onto a mandala—symbolically forging a bond with the Buddhas and re-creating the sacred atmosphere of the Buddhas' world.