The Seven-Hall Temple (Shichidō Garan) 七堂伽藍

Official explanation

Eiheiji Temple is famous for the layout of its core temple complex, called the garan. In Zen Buddhism, temples are organized around seven fundamental structures that form the main spaces in which the monks live, eat, sleep, and practice Zen. These seven buildings are referred to as the shichidō garan, or “seven-hall temple.” The word garan itself is derived from a Sanskrit word that referred to a garden where monks gathered to engage in Zen practice.

Conventions about which specific buildings are included in the shichidō garan differ depending on a temple’s affiliated school and era of construction. Eiheiji Temple’s shichidō garan is modeled after that of Tiantong Temple in China, where Zen Master Dōgen (1200–1253) studied before returning to Japan to spread Sōtō Zen Buddhism. The seven buildings of Eiheiji’s garan are the:

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Sanmon (Main Gate),

Butsuden (Buddha Hall),

Hattō (Dharma Hall),

Sōdō (Monk’s Hall),

Daikuin (Kitchen and Administrative Building),

Yokushitsu (Bathhouse), and

Tōsu (Toilet).

The buildings of the shichidō garan are all interconnected by a network of covered corridors and stairs.

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Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.