Its importance notwithstanding, the
sanmon is not the first gate of the temple, and in fact it usually stands between the
sōmon (outer gate) and the
butsuden (lit. "Hall of Buddha", i.e. the
main hall). It used to be connected to a portico-like structure called , which however gradually disappeared during the
Muromachi period, being replaced by the , a small building present on both sides of the gate and containing a stairway to the gate's second story. three entrance gate (see photo below). Entering, pilgrims can symbolically free themselves from the three passions of , , and . The fact the gate has entrances but no doors, and cannot therefore be closed, emphasizes its purely symbolic function as a limit between the sacred and the profane. A temple of the second rank will have a two-storied, 3x2-bay, single entrance gate (see photo below). The second story of a first or second rank temple usually contains statues of
Shakyamuni or of goddess
Kannon, and of the 16
Rakan, and hosts periodical religious ceremonies. The side bays of
sanmon of the first two ranks may also house statues of the
Niō, wardens who are in charge of repelling evil. A third rank temple will have a single-storied, 1x2-bay, single entrance gate.
Three ranks Image:Myotsuji Sanmon 1.jpg| A middle rank, three-bay
sanmon at Myōtsū-ji,
Fukui prefecture Image:Sozenji (Higashiyodogawa, Osaka) sanmon.jpg| A low rank
sanmon at Sozen-ji in
Osaka Second story Some images of the second story of
Kōmyō-ji's
sanmon in
Kamakura,
Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a high rank
Jōdo sect
sanmon, the largest of the
Kantō region. File:Komyoji,-Kamakura gate stairs.jpg|The stairs to the second story File:Kamakura Komyoji Inside The Sanmon 3.jpg|The second story File:Kamakura Komyoji Sanmon 2.jpg|The second story, exit to the balcony File:Kamakura Komyoji Inside-the-sanmon-1.jpg|Sacred images in the main room == Examples ==