Kannon-dō 観音堂

The hall also enshrines a number of other statues, including two Buddhas central to the doctrine of Shingon Buddhism. The first is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light or Life – the translation differs according to various sutras. It is a major icon in several orders of Buddhism in Japan, such as the Pure Land School, or the Nichiren School. Its wooden statue dates to the late Heian period. The second is Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic Buddha who is the central Buddha typical of and limited to the esoteric Shingon School.

Kannon-dō is the heart of the eleventh stop on the famous Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage route around western Japan.

Kannondo Hall

The Kannondo Hall takes its name from its main object of worship: a statue of Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. Here Kannon appears in a manifestation with a thousand arms, which represents the infinite depths of compassion. Not only is the bodhisattva equipped with enough arms to reach out to anyone in need, but each arm offers a different type of assistance, allowing help in a manner that suits each person’s specific needs.

In addition to the central statue of Kannon, the hall features images of all its 33 manifestations, each one poised to deliver people from different types of suffering. Depictions of myriad other deities are on display as well, including Fujin, god of wind, and Raijin, god of thunder, as well as images of important monks from the temple‘s past.

Kannondo Hall

The Kannondo Hall was constructed in the early Kamakura period (1185–1333) on the former site of the original main hall. Its classical Tenpyo-period (710–794) design predates the actual construction by some 500 years. The Hall once functioned as a side pavilion (tsuridono) building on the side of the main hall.

It is remarkable that this simple hall has survived. During the long history of Byodoin, many of the temple’s treasures, halls, and towers have been lost in fires, leaving only the Phoenix Hall, the Kannondo, and the temple Bell Tower from its early period. The Kannondo is not as old as the Phoenix Hall, but, like those other wooden structures, it has survived centuries of fire, war, earthquakes, and weather.

The main object of worship of the Kannondo is the Eleven-headed Kannon (Sk. Avalokiteshvara). The Jizo that once stood at one side can be seen in the Byodoin Hoshokan Museum.

The hall is currently closed to visitors for renovation.

Kannondo Hall

The Kannondo Hall is located at the western edge of the gardens. On the altar inside stands a centuries-old wooden statue representing Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. The Kannondo previously functioned as Saihoji’s main hall of worship until the construction of the Sairaido in 1969.