Eiheiji, "The Temple of Eternal Peace", is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen. Located deep in the mountains close to the northwest coast of Japan, not far from Fukui City. This temple was founded by Zen Master Dōgen in 1244. The grounds of Eiheiji Temple consists of about 70 pagodas, and among them, are the Shichidō Garan [The Seven Halls of Eihei-ji Temple] of Hatto, Butsuden, Sodo, Kuin, Sanmon, Tosu and Yokushitsu, which are pure and essential places for monks to train. Even today, there are over 100 monks in training undergoing strict practices daily at Eiheiji.

Dogen Zenji, the founder of Eiheiji Temple, was born in Kyoto in 1200. He left his home and was ordained at Mt. Hiei in the spring of 1212 when he was 12 years old, and at the age of 24 he traveled to China, during the Song dynasty (960-1279), with the monk Myozen [a disciple of Zen Master Eisai, who had studied Zen teachings in the Song dynasty before Zen Master Dogen] to pursue the path of Buddhism. While touring the temples of the Song Dynasty, Zen Master Dogen met Zen Master Nyojo, who became his regular teacher. After returning to Japan at the age of 28, he wrote "Fukan Zazengi" to transmit the correct zazen method and teachings. At the age of 34, he built Kosho-ji Temple in Fukakusa, Kyoto, and began training practitioners and teaching others. Later, at the age of 45, he was invited by Hatano Yoshishige to Echizen, where he built Daibutsuji Temple (renamed "Eiheiji Temple" two years later) and continued the teaching and training of his students. The Shobogenzo, which he continued to write until his death in 1253 at the age of 54, has become a scripture of the Soto sect.

Among the numerous historic buildings within the precincts of Eiheiji Temple are the "Shichido Garan" [The Seven Halls of Eihei-ji Temple], consisting of Sanmon [gate], Butsuden [Buddha Hall], Hatto [Lecture Hall], Sodo [Hall of the Priest], Kuin [office / kitchen], Yokushitsu [bathhouse], Tosu [toilet] and are considered especially important as austere places where monks practice their asceticism.
The Sanmon [Main Gate] is the official entryway to the Eiheiji Temple complex and is the oldest of the seven buildings of the main temple compound. It was constructed in 1749 by local carpenters using traditional wood-joining techniques, so the gate is held together without a single nail.
Statues of the Shitennō [Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism] --Tamonten, Zōchōten, Jikokuten, and Kōmokuten --are housed inside the gate. They are known as the protectors of the four cardinal directions and are said to live on the four continents surrounding Mt. Sumeru, the towering mountain that stands at the center of the world in Buddhist cosmology.
Prayers for world peace are offered twice a day in the Butsuden [Buddha Hall], at the center of the Schichido Garan [The Seven Halls of Eihei-ji Temple].
The Hattō [Dharma Hall], is used for daily morning services, sermons on the teachings of the Buddha, and for certain other important occasions. It has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1843. The Hattō at Eiheiji Temple is one of the largest halls remaining from the Edo period (1603 -1867). The main deity, "Sho-Kannon Bosatsu" is enshrined in the center.
The "Sōdō" [Monk's Hall] is where monks eat, sleep, and perform zazen [seated Zen practice]. And the "Daikuin" is the kitchen and administrative building, "Yokushitsu" is the bathhouse, and "Tōsu" is the toilet.

At the Eiheiji Temple, numerous monks are still practicing daily. Among the daily disciplines practiced by the Eiheiji monks are, zazen, the primary Zen meditation practice, daily morning service throughout the year, and Syakyo [sutra copying] may be undertaken by visitors, to strengthen minds and bodies by performing the practices of Eiheiji monks in the very place where the lives to daily devotions at the temple are dedicated. Eiheiji Temple also has a lodging house to experience a full day of ascetic training and taste authentic Buddhist vegetarian cuisine for visitors. There is also a training plan for visitors from overseas with English interpretation.
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