Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is a temple for both the Jodo Shu and Tendai sects. The temple is one of the two temples in Uji City which are designated as World Heritage Sites under the title "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto".
Byodo-in Temple was originally built in AD 998 as a villa for Fujiwara no Michinaga, one of the most powerful warlords of the Fujiwara clan. It was converted to be a Buddhist temple by Fujiwara no Yorimichi in 1052.
The most famous building at Byodo-in Temple is its main building, the Phoenix Hall, which houses the statue of the Amida Buddha. It was completed in 1053, and stands as an excellent example of the Fujiwara style Amida hall. The hall is featured on the reverse side of the 10-yen coin of Japan.
The statue of the Amida Buddha - celestial Buddha from which we get the word Amitabha - was carved out of Japanese cypress and gilded with golf leaf. The sculpture was done by famous 11th century Japanese sculptor Jocho Busshi, who used a technique called yosegi, to carve different pieces of wood and then join them all together like shells. The seated figure of the Amida Buddha is three meters tall.
In the grounds of Byodo-in Temple is a Japanese garden. There is also a museum displaying Byodo-in's national treasures, which include 52 wooden Bodhisattvas, the temple bell, and other historically significant artifacts.
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