30‏/07‏/2014

Dharma Hall of Eiheiji Temple

Eiheiji Guide 08: Lecture hall 'Hattō' atop the hill

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Gorgeous golden Buddhist decorations hanging from the ceiling of Hattō, the Dharma Hall (Lecture Hall)

Sign indicating direction to Hattō (Lecture Hall)

Hattō (Lecture Hall) is located at the highest place on the temple grounds, at the top of the hill, and visitors have to climb up up up the long stairs!

Hattō (Lecture Hall) viewed from the corridor below

Wooden sign explaining Hattō. According to it, it was originally used for lectures (Dharma talks), and now daily services and important ceremonies take place here. It is the largest of the temple's seven main buildings with 420 tatami mats

Closer look at the gorgeous alter of Hattō (Lecture Hall)

Close-up of two statues of white Chinese lions. One's mouth is closed (not in this photo) and the other's mouth is open, which represents the beginning and the end of all things

A girl wandering in awe in the spacious Hattō (Lecture Hall) of Eiheiji Temple

This photo story is to guide you step-by-step as you explore Eiheiji Temple in Fukui, the Zen temple of 'Eternal Peace'. The eighth guide focuses on 'Hattō (Dharma Hall or Lecture Hall)'. Rebuilt in 1843, it was originally used for lectures (Dharma talks), but now daily services and important ceremonies are held here. It is the largest of the temple's seven main buildings (Shichidō Garan) with 420 tatami mats, as well as being located at the highest place on the premises, providing a great view of the whole temple grounds from the top of the hill, though you have to climb up long stairs to get there!

For other photos, please see these other photo stories, a detailed history, this article, and the other entries to this guide, the links below.