Jōdodō 浄土堂

Lit. Pure Land Hall. The main hall of the Shingon 真言 sect temple of Jōdoji 浄土寺 in Hyōgo Prefecture, dedicated to *Amida 阿弥陀. The hall houses a famous Kamakura period triad of statues: Amida and two attendants, in wood and lacquer (designated national treasures). Built in 1192, this temple is the oldest surviving example of the daibutsu style *daibutsuyō 大仏様. Jōdo 浄土 refers to the Pure Land or Amida's western paradise, where, according to the late-Heian period Jōdo 浄土 sect, believers may be reborn after death.