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ARCHITECTURE

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ARCHITECTURE

Higashi and Nishi Honganji: The Two Great Head Temples of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

The two Honganji temples in Kyoto were deliberately divided by Tokugawa Ieyasu. This article explores Shinran's Other Power teaching and the architectural grandeur of their御影堂 halls, among the largest wooden structures in the world.

Contents

MOKUJI

Jodo Shinshu and Other Power

›

The East-West Split

›

Architectural Grandeur

›

Jodo Shinshu and Other Power

Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Buddhism), founded by Shinran (1173–1262), deepens the Pure Land teaching of his master Honen. Its core is tariki hongan (Other Power Original Vow): salvation comes not through self-effort or merit, but through absolute trust in Amida Buddha’s compassionate vow.

Shinran’s famous paradox — ‘Even a good person can attain birth in the Pure Land; how much more so an evil person’ (akumin shoki) — upends conventional Buddhist ethics: those who know their own sinfulness and rely wholly on Amida are the true object of his saving vow.

The East-West Split

The original Honganji moved to the site of present-day Nishi Honganji under the 11th abbot, Kennyo. In 1602, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted land to Kennyo’s son Kyonyo to build a rival temple — Higashi Honganji — deliberately splitting the powerful Ikko-ikki religious movement to reduce its political threat.

Nishi Honganji

Higashi Honganji

Denomination

Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha

Shinshu Otani-ha

Key structure

Goei-do (National Treasure)

Goei-do (one of world’s largest wooden buildings)

Founded (current site)

1591

1602

Architectural Grandeur

Higashi Honganji’s Goei-do hall — 58m east-west, 76m north-south, 38m high — is among the largest wooden structures on earth. The Goei-do enshrines Shinran’s portrait; in Jodo Shinshu, gratitude to the founder (hoon) is as central as devotion to Amida.

Nishi Honganji’s Goei-do and Amida-do are both National Treasures. The Hiunkaku pavilion, one of Kyoto’s ‘Three Pavilions’ alongside Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji, is said to have been moved from Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s Jurakudai palace.

Nearby Kitano Tenmangu, Kiyomizudera, and Daitokuji offer contrasting architectural traditions — Shinto, Kannon-faith, and Rinzai Zen — all within walking distance.

Last updated: May 2026

西本願寺, related to 東西本願寺と浄土真宗