Layout and geomantic positioning Buddhist temples in Japan

part of tōshōdai-ji s garan (left right, kondō, kōdō, korō , raiō)

buddhist temple complexes consist of number of structures arranged according concepts or guidelines.

the arrangement of major buildings (garan haichi (伽藍配置)) changed on time. pattern had gate, tower, kondō , kodō in straight line south north. corridors extended east , west flanks of gate, turned north, , joined north of kōdo, forming cloister around pagoda , major halls. pattern, typified shitennō-ji in osaka, came china via baekje; chinese style of buddhist temples, though altered china via korean peninsula, based on of chinese palaces, , evident in many of basic design features remain today in temples of 3 countries.

a buddhist temple complex in japan follows pattern of series of sacred spaces encircling courtyard, , entered via set of gates. these gates typically have pair of large guardian statues, called niō.

in addition, many of more important or powerful temples built in locations favorable according precepts of chinese geomancy. example, enryaku-ji, sits atop mount hiei north-east of kyoto, said defend city evil spirits being placed in direction. arrangements of mountains , other geographic features in particular directions around temple play important roles well. custom continued long time. 8 centuries after founding of enryaku-ji, tokugawa shogunate established kan ei-ji in similar direction protection of edo castle. mountain-name, mount tōei (東叡山 tōei-zan), takes character mount hiei (比叡山 hiei-zan), , can interpreted meaning mount hiei of east.

kamakura s tsurugaoka hachiman-gū shinto shrine but, before shinto , buddhism separation order (神仏判然令) of 1868, name tsurugaoka hachiman-gū-ji (鶴岡八幡宮寺, tsurugaoka hachiman shrine temple) , buddhist temple, 1 of oldest of city. temple , city built feng shui in mind. present location chosen propitious after consulting diviner because had mountain north (the hokuzan (北山)), river east (the namerikawa) , great road west (the kotō kaidō (古東街道)), , open south (on sagami bay). each direction protected god: genbu guarded north, seiryū east, byakko west , suzaku south. willows near ponds , catalpas next museum of modern art represent respectively seiryū , byakko.

geomancy lost in importance during heian period temple layout adapted natural environment, disregarding fengshui.

in addition geomantic considerations, buddhist temples, other religious structures, need organized in order best serve various purposes. important space in buddhist temple complex sacred space images of buddhas , bodhisattvas kept, , important rituals performed.

hattō designed itō chūta @ sōji-ji

these areas separated accessible lay worshipers, though distance between 2 , manner of separation quite varied. in many temples, there little more wooden railing dividing sacred space of laypeople, in many others there significant distance, perhaps graveled courtyard, between two.

another structure or space of great importance accommodates physical day-to-day needs of clergy. spaces eating, sleeping , studying essential, particularly in temples serve monasteries.

according 13th-century text, garan temple kon-dō (main hall), tō (pagoda), kō-dō (lecture hall), shōrō (belfry), jiki-dō (refectory), sōbō (monks living quarters), , kyōzō (scriptures deposit, library). these 7 listed shichidō elements of nanto rokushū (南都六宗, nara 6 sects) temple.

a 15th-century text describes how zen school temples (sōtō (曹洞), rinzai (臨済)) included butsuden or butsu-dō (main hall), hattō (lecture hall), kuin (kitchen/office), sō-dō (building dedicated zazen), sanmon (main gate), tōsu (toilet) , yokushitsu (bath).