Hokke-do
法華堂
Todai-ji's oldest building, constructed between 740-747 and originally dedicated to a Kannon statue, later renamed for the annual Lotus Sutra ceremony.
〒 630-8211How to get there
近鉄奈良Kintetsu Kyoto Line · Kintetsu Nara Line26 min walk from the station
The Hokke-do is Todai-ji's oldest building, thought to have been built between 740-747. Named after the statue of Fukukensaku Kannon, the hall was originally known as the Kensaku-do. It was later renamed Hokke-do after the Lotus Sutra ceremony held there annually in the third month. The hall has two sections: the image hall (shodo) and the worship hall (raido), which were originally separate structures but later attached by Chogen in 1199. The Hokke-do was a key part of Kinsho-ji, Todai-ji's predecessor, and is said to have hosted the first Avatamsaka Sutra lecture in Japan. The statues inside the Hokke-do recall the grandeur of the Nara period.
Getting There
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