Sodo (Meditation Hall)

Eihei-ji Temple, Fukui (plan)

This building is usually called the "Monks' Hall" in English, but I think that "Meditation Hall" would be a better translation. It is where the monks and devoted laypeople go to practice zazen. Each visitor is allocated a straw mat that measures 1m by 2m. That tiny space has to do for eating, sleeping, and meditation, for as long as one stays in the hall.