It is the head temple of the Otani sect, which is part of the Shinshu Kyodan Rengo (Ten Schools of Shin Buddhism), and also joins Nishi Hongan-ji temple (officially Hongan-ji temple, head temple of the Hongan-ji sect of Shin Buddhism), as one of the main temples of Shin Buddhism.
真宗教団連合（真宗十派）の一つ真宗大谷派の本山で、西本願寺（浄土真宗本願寺派の本山〈正式名称・本願寺〉）と並ぶ浄土真宗の本山である。