Patriarchs' Hall

Patriarchs' Hall
The Hall of Founder at Hongfa Temple, in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese or 殿
Simplified Chinese or 殿
Literal meaningHall of the Patriarchs
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZushi Táng/ Zǔshī Diàn
Alternative Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaningAncestor Hall
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZu Táng
Second alternative Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaningShadow Hall
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYǐng Táng
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabetTổ Sư Đường or Tổ Đường
Chữ Hán or
Korean name
Hangul조사당
Hanja祖師堂
Transcriptions
Revised RomanizationJosadang
McCune–ReischauerChosadang
Japanese name
Kanji or
Transcriptions
RomanizationSoshidō or Mieidō

The Patriarchs' Hall is a building in East Asian Buddhist temples enshrining the founding monk or a highly revered national master of the temple, a specific tradition, or of Buddhism in that country. Patriarchs' Hall serves as centers of commemoration, venerating the lineage and legacy of these masters, and are distinct from halls dedicated to celestial Buddhas or bodhisattvas. The architectural style, specific nomenclature, and the figures enshrined within these halls reflect the unique historical development and cultural integration of Buddhism in each country.

In Chinese Buddhist temples, they are usually termed the Zushi Tang or Zushi Dian. In Japanese Buddhist temples, they are usually termed the Soshidō or Mieidō. In Korean Buddhist temples, they are usually termed the Josadang. In Vietnamese Buddhist temples, they are usually termed the Tổ Sư Đường or Tổ Đường.