6/50.- Kyoto, Higashi Hongan-ji

A few yards east of Nishi Honganji is the Higashi Hongan-ji Temple. This is the main temple of the Otani sub-sect of the Jodo Shinshu Sect of Buddhism. It was built in 1602, when Shogun Ieyesu Togukawa gave permission to a local abbot to build a new branch of the temple. The construction of this new temple led to a split in this sect.

The Higashi-hongan-ji Temple is the largest wooden structure in the world. Its main hall can accommodate up to 5,000 people.

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