The Ohara area has been known as Gyozan for more than a thousand years. It is the birthplace of Shomyo (Buddhist sutra chanting) and known as a sacred spot in the belief of Jodo (Pure Land Buddhism) among Nembutsu-Hijiri (prayer mendicant priests). Sanzen-in Temple was originally established as a hermitage by Saicho (767-822), or Dengyo Daishi, when he founded Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, Shiga Prefecture. The temple, also known as Kajii Monzeki or Nashimoto Monzeki, is one of the five Tendai Monzeki temples, and certain members of the imperial family served here in the priesthood throughout the temple's history. It was officially named Sanzen-in in 1871, according to documentation written by Emperor Reigen in the Jibutsu-do hall of Kajii Goten (the temple building), following the departure of an imperial prince priest from the priesthood.
