Hōryū-ji ［法隆寺］: Also known as Ikaruga-dera. A temple located at Ikaruga in Nara, Japan. According to an inscription on the back of the halo on the statue of Medicine Master Buddha in the main hall, the temple was founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku and Empress Suiko. They built it and enshrined the statue there in accord with the wishes of the late Emperor Yōmei. Though the year of its founding is disputable, it is certain that the temple was built by Shōtoku during the reign of Empress Suiko (592–628). The Chronicles of Japan records the donation of rice fields to Ikaruga-dera in 606. It is thought that the temple was probably built at the beginning of the seventh century. In 622 Prince Shōtoku died at the palace of Ikaruga, and in his memory statues of Shakyamuni and Shakyamuni’s two attendants were enshrined at Hōryū-ji. The statues were made in 623 by the sculptor Tori at the request of the prince’s family. According to The Chronicles of Japan, Hōryū-ji was destroyed by fire in 670, but it is generally agreed that the temple was rebuilt around the beginning of the eighth century. It was at first the headquarters for the study of the Three Treatises (Sanron) teachings, and later the Dharma Characteristics (Hossō) school’s doctrine was also studied there. It became one of the seven major temples of Nara. The temple has many historical buildings and treasures of art as well as precious documents.