According to the "Nihonshoki" (Chronicles of Japan), the introduction of Buddhism into Japan was spearheaded by SOGA no Iname, who enshrined a gilt bronze statue of Shakyamuni that had been presented, together with some sutras, to the Imperial court by King Seong of Baekje, in his house at Oharida and purified his house in Mukuhara, converting it into Kogen-ji Temple.
当時仏教受容の先頭を切ったのは蘇我稲目であり、百済の聖王が日本の朝廷の伝えてきた金銅釈迦像・経典若干卷のうちの仏像を小墾田（おはりだ）の家に安置し、さらに向原（むくはら）の家を清めて向原寺（こうげんじ）とした（『日本書紀』）。