The
Chinese-style pagoda at Hôryûji was originally derived from
Indian prototypes, such as the towering stone pagoda at Bodh Gaya on the
left. In Buddhism, a pagoda was considered as a memorial to the historical
Buddha, Shakyamuni, or Shaka, as he was known in Japan. To this end, relics,
or remains of the Buddha are enshrined in the pagoda.