Keywords
Architecture
Buildings
Structures
Also seidō.
1 The fare hall or worshipper's hall of a temple, in contrast to the rear hall housing the sanctuary when two buildings are set closely one behind the other *narabidō 双堂. Example: Tōdaiji *Hokkedō 東大寺法華堂 in Nara.
2 The worshipper's area in the front of a sanctuary. Also called *raidō 礼堂 or *gejin 外陣. Example: Myōtsūji *Hondō 明通寺本堂 (1258) in Fukui Prefecture.
3 Also written 昭堂. The living quarters of the abbot of a Zen temple. Also *hōjō 方丈.