Hall of Three Sutras
The Sangyo-in was rebuilt in 1231 and the Nishimuro in 1268 after fires destroyed the original buildings. The Nishimuro served as sleeping quarters for temple monks. The Sangyo-in takes its name from the Sangyo gisho, or Annotated Commentaries on the Three Sutras. This group of commentaries on Buddhist texts is attributed to the founder of Horyuji Temple, Prince Shotoku (574–622). The commentaries date to the year 615, making them possibly the oldest extant writings in Japan. Every year from May to August, lectures known as Ango are held at the Nishimuro, and monks lecture on the sutra commentaries that make up the Sangyo gisho written by Prince Shotoku.