According to temple legend, Shinran returned to Kyoto in 1212, the year after he was pardoned, and established a temple in Yamashina-go, Yamashiro Province, which was named 'Kosho-ji' (興正寺) (or Koryu Shobo-ji (興隆正法寺)) after 'Koryu Shobo' (興隆正法, lit. Spreading the noble and correct Dharma) of Emperor Juntoku's order, which was associated with Prince Shotoku.
寺伝によると、親鸞は赦免の翌年の1212年（建暦2年）に京都に帰り、山城国山科郷に一宇を創建し、順徳天皇より聖徳太子にまつわる「興隆正法」の勅願を賜り、「興正寺」（興隆正法寺）と名づけた。