is a Tendai Buddhist temple in the city of Nikkà Â, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.
The site was established in 766 by the Buddhist monk Shà Âdà  Shà Ânin (735âÂÂ817). Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan, the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude, and it still is considered an important base for ascetic training among Tendai monks.
Together with Nikkà  Tà Âshà Â-gà « and Futarasan Shrine, it forms the Shrines and Temples of Nikkà  UNESCO World Heritage Site, with 42 structures of the shrine included in the nomination.
Among the most famous buildings in Rinnà Â-ji is the . This building features gold-leafed statues of Amida, Senju Kannon ("Kannon with a thousand arms") and Batà  Kannon ("Kannon with a horse's head"). These deities are considered as Buddhist manifestations of Nikkà Â's three mountain kami enshrined at Futarasan Shrine.
Next to the Sanbutsudà  Hall there are Shà Âyà Â-en Garden and the Rinno-ji Homotsu-den Hall ("Treasure House of Rinnà Â-ji"). The latter houses an important collection of Buddhist art, including sculptures, paintings, calligraphy, scrolls and other crafts, mainly from the 8th century, and approximately 50 of them are on display at any given time. In addition, the temple houses the , an important instruction manual of the Nirvana Sutra in 59 handscrolls dated from the Nara and Heian periods. It is designated a .
The temple also administers the , which is the mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604âÂÂ1651), the third Tokugawa shà Âgun. Technically a shinto shrine, it was built in 1653 in the Gongen-zukuri style and it is designated a National Treasure of Japan in that category. It has been described by the World Heritage Committee as "a pure masterpiece of architecture and decoration". 37 other structures in the temple complex are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
is a yaká¹£a most famously known as the enshrined in the Great Goma Hall of Rinnà Â-ji. He is said to be a manifestation of Vaià Âravaá¹Âa and serves as a protector of the state. Chinjà  Yasha is revealed to the public once every nine years in a year referred to in Nine Star Astrology as the The most recent public unveiling was on February 3, 2023 (Reiwa 5).
According to the ritual, which has been handed down since the time of Saichà Â, Chinjà  Yasha is believed to possess the spiritual power to turn misfortune into blessings. This is also one of the of Tendai Buddhism. A wooden carving of the deity also exists at Kurama-dera.