Dating back to 1165, Koryu-ji's kodo (sermon hall) is one of the oldest structures in Kyoto. Inside it is a statue (9C) of the Buddha Amida, the Buddha of the Pure Land. Behind the kodo is the taishido, dedicated to Prince Shotoku Taishi (574-622), who spread Buddhist teachings in Japan. Shotoku Taishi is said to have given to the founder of Koryu-ji the beautiful Miroku Bosatsu (7C), a delicately sculpted, red-pine statue of the Buddha, which exudes a contagious sense of serenity and has been on display in the Treasure Room ever since.