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Enryakuji is a monastery located on Hieizan (Mount Hiei) which overlooks Kyoto. warlord Oda Nobunanga tried to put a stop to this Buddhist militancy in 1571 by attacking and destroying most of Enryakuji's buildings.

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is a monastary located on Hieizan (Mount Hiei) which overlooks Kyoto. It was founded by the Chinese priest Dengyo Daishi, also known as Saicho, who brought Tendai Buddhism to Japan, and still serves as this sect's its headquarters today. During the eighth and ninth centuries, Tendai Buddhism was popular among the upper classes and influenced later sects including hte Pure land, Zen, and Nichiren sects. With the support of the Emperor Kammu, Saicho founded this temple to protect Kyoto from evil spirits believed to come from the northeast. Saicho created a small monastic community by gathering deciples and lay-patrons in 807. Training was rigorous nad monks lived in seclusion for twelve years of study and meditation practice. After this training, the best students were ordained as priests in the monastary while others took positions in the government and court. At the height of its power, Enryakuji had about 3000 sub-temples adn a powerful army of Sohei, or warrior monks for self-defense. This military force was powerful elough to threated Kyoto, the city it was originally responsible of protecting. thus, warlard Oda Nobunanga tried to put a stop to this Buddhist militancy in1571 by attacking and destroying most of Enryakuji's buildings. The temple's most sacred building is the Kompon Chudo (Primary Central Hall). the altars in the hall are in a recessed area below the worship floor, making it seem as though they are floating amidst the smoke of inscense highlighted by low burning lanterns. It is said that the three large lanterns in front of the main altar have been burning contiunously for the past 1,200 years, ever since Saicho himself first lit them. Saicho promised the court that he would educate his monks to be 'national treasures,' people with the ability to illuminate their corner of society. "Illuminating One Corner" is also the slogan of modern Tendai Buddhism