The seven principal buildings considered necessary for a Buddhist temple from the 7-12th century. They include: the main image hall *kondō 金堂; pagoda *tō 塔; lecture hall *kōdō 講堂; belfry *shōrō 鐘楼; sutra storage *kyōzō 経蔵; priests' quarters *sōbō 僧坊; and refectory *jikidō 食堂. However, the expression shichidō might have referred to a finished building and shitsudō 悉堂 may have carried the nuance of a truly perfect hall.
The seven main buildings erected at Zen 禅 sect temples from 12th century on were: the main hall *butsuden 仏殿; the lecture hall *hattō 法堂; the principal gate *sanmon 三門; the kitchen building, often housing the administrative offices and living accommodations for some monks *kuri 庫裡; meditation hall *zendō 禅堂 also called *sōdō 僧堂; bathhouse *ōyuya 大湯屋; and toilet facilities *tōsu 東司.