The work entitled "Zoku Honcho-ojo-den" (Sequel to the Accounts of Rebirth into the Pure Land) (written by OE no Masafusa) believed to have been written from the late 11th century to the early 12th century contains early references to the temple as 'Ho-ji Temple.'
11世紀末から12世紀初めの成立と思われる『続本朝往生伝』（大江匡房著）には早くも当寺の通称である「宝寺」の名が見える。