Kondō

The kondō (金堂, “golden hall”) is the hall that houses a temple's main image, the honzon. It plays the same role as the hondō: only the name changes.

“Kondō” is used mainly in temples founded between the Asuka period and the early Heian period (6th–9th centuries): Hōryū-ji, Shitennō-ji, Yakushi-ji, Tōdai-ji, Tōshōdai-ji. Later, “hondō” became the usual name. Zen temples rather say butsuden (仏殿), and Tendai says chūdō (中堂). In a few temples that have both buildings, the kondō is the older one, and the hondō the one that later became the centre of worship.

On the Shikoku pilgrimage. At temple 29, Tosa Kokubun-ji, the main hall, rebuilt in 1558, is listed as an Important Cultural Property under the name Kondō; it stands on the site of the original kondō of 741. At temple 69, Kannon-ji, the Muromachi-period main hall is also called the Kondō. The histories of temples 14, Jōraku-ji, and 15, Awa Kokubun-ji, also mention an ancient kondō. Like all kokubun-ji, these two temples were founded in the Nara period.