Honganji

Honganji (本願寺, lit. temple of the original vow) is a term that has been used to refer to a number of Buddhist temples across Japan's history. However, it refers primarily to a pair of temples, which were once one, in Kyoto.

Nishi-Honganji

The Nishi-Honganji (西本願寺), like the Higashi Honganji, features a huge Goei-do　(護衛堂), founder's hall) and a smaller Amida-do　(阿弥陀堂), or Buddha hall, housing an image of the Amida Buddha. The Nishi Honganji's kura　(倉), or storehouse, houses many National Treasures, most of which are not on view for the public. The shoin(書院), or study hall, is also quite famous; it is split into two sections, the shiroshoin　(白書院), or white study hall, and the kuroshoin　(黒書院), or black study hall. The Kuroshoin is never opened to the public, but the Shiroshoin opens twice a month.

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Nishi-Honganji also contains Hiunkaku (悲運角), a large tea pavilion, and two Noh stages, one of which claims to be the oldest in existence, and the Kokei no Niwa (固形の庭) gardens.

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