sanmon 三門

Also written 山門; often called *sangedatsumon 三解脱門 meaning enlightenment gate. Main gate at a Zen temple. The size of the gate can be equated with the status of the Zen temple: the highest rank with a 2-storied 5 x 2-bay 3-entrance gate with a 1-bay square shelter covering entrance to stairs to second story on each side *sanrō 山廊, Tōfukuji Sanmon 東福寺三門 (1405), Kyoto; the middle rank with a 2-storied, 3 x 2-bay 1-entrance gate, Takisanji Sanmon 滝山寺三門 (Kamakura period), Aichi Prefecture and a low ranking small temple with a single-storied, 1 x 2-bay 1-entrance gate. "Gedatsu 解脱" means emancipation from misery and illusion of three worlds resulting in enlightenment. Usually a Buddhist statue and the sixteen arhats *jūroku rakan 十六羅漢 are enshrined. Guardian figures are placed in the side bays of the first story of the 5 x 2 and 3 x 2 bay gates. Ceremonies are held on the second story. Since the main hall *hondō 本堂 symbolizes the hōkū 法空 and nirvana nehan 涅槃, the entrances to it through the sanmon symbolize the three gates sangedatsumon: kūmon 空門, musōmon 無相門 and musamon 無作門.