Hōrin-ji (Nara) explained

Myōkensan Hōrin-ji
Japanese: 法輪寺
Location:1570 Mii, Ikaruga-chō, Ikoma-gun, Nara-ken
Religious Affiliation:Shōtoku-shū
Deity:Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru)
Country:Japan
Website:www1.kcn.ne.jp/~horinji
Founded By:Prince Yamashiro or Kudara Kaihōshi, Enmyōshi and Shimohishinmotsu
Year Completed:622 or 670

, or is a Buddhist temple in Mii, Ikaruga, Nara, Japan. The temple is located about a kilometer north of Hōryū-ji's Tō-in. The temple's sangō prefix is .

History

The origin of the temple is not certain, although there are two prevalent theories. The temple was either built in 622 AD by Prince Yamashiro in his wish for his father, Prince Regent Shōtoku, to recover from an illness or in 670 by three monks as part of the reconstruction of Hōryū-ji, which had burned down that same year.

The original date of construction is unclear, while studies so far suggest it was in the seventh century. The temple was a designated national treasure until the last remaining original structure of the complex, the three-story pagoda, was hit by lightning in 1944, and burnt to ground. The current pagoda is a reconstruction from 1975, and holds the original reliquary that was saved from the fire in 1944.

The temple holds six Buddhist statues that are designated important cultural assets. These are open to public as regular exhibits.

References

External links