Buddhist temple
Byōdō-in
平等院（びょうどういん）
Uji, Kyoto Prefecture
A World Heritage temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. In the Phoenix Hall (Hōōdō, also called the Amida Hall), the seated Amida Nyorai made by the Buddhist sculptor Jōchō, a National Treasure, is enshrined as the principal image.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Seated Amida Nyorai (principal image of the Phoenix Hall)
History and things to know
According to the official chronology, in Eishō 7 (1052) the Chancellor (Kanpaku) Fujiwara no Yorimichi founded the temple by converting a villa he had inherited from his father, Michinaga, and in the following year, Tengi 1 (1053), the Amida Hall (Phoenix Hall) was dedicated. Many of the temple buildings were lost to fire in warfare in Kenmu 3 (1336), and since the Edo period, Jōdo-in of the Jōdo school and Saishō-in of the Tendai school have worked together to maintain it.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The number of people who can view the interior of the Phoenix Hall is limited; details are given under "About Viewing the Interior" (内部拝観について) on the official website.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 平等院「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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