Jikido Refectory
This Refectory building dates from the Nara period (710–794) and was originally a temple office (mandokoro-ya). It was converted to a dining room for priests in the Heian period (794–1185). The Japanese word jikido is today more commonly pronounced shokudo, meaning restaurant or dining room, but in the ancient past eating itself served as a form of religious practice and the refectory was also a place of prayer. Priests use the hall to celebrate the birthday of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha on April 8 in a ceremony known as Bussho-e.