The temple was originally built by Emperor Montoku creating Busshinin at the south of Somedono Tei (mansion) and enshrining Jizo Bosatsu, as requested by FUJIWARA no Akirakeiko.
もと、染殿第の南に文徳天皇が藤原明子の請いにより仏心院を建てて地蔵菩薩を安置したのに始まる。