Jōgyōdō and Hokkedō Meditation Halls (Important Cultural Property) 常行堂・法華堂　(重要文化財）

Official explanation

This pair of halls was built in 1619 to replace the two halls built by the monk Ennin (794–864) in 848. Joined by a covered walkway, the halls were used for meditation practices that he had learned in China.

The Jōgyōdō, the larger hall, was used for jōgyō zanmai, a style of meditation in which monks walk around a central image for 90 days. In the center of the Jōgyōdō is a statue of Amida Nyorai (Buddha of Infinite Light and Life) guarded by four bodhisattvas as they appear in one of the courts of the Diamond World Mandala. All five figures are riding peacocks, which are said to symbolize purity of heart.

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The Hokkedō (Lotus Sutra Hall) was used for hokke zanmai, a seated and walking meditation practice that lasts for 37 days.

Although the two halls are architecturally similar—lacquered red and having the same style of roof—the Jōgyōdō is designed in a Japanese style and the Hokkedō in a Chinese style. This reflects the design of a similar pair of halls at Enryakuji Temple in Kyoto, which were also originally built by Ennin.

Today the Jōgyōdō is used for memorial services.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
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.