Ancient roof tiles dating from the early Nara period have been excavated in the area and, although it has not been confirmed to have been founded by Gyoki, it is known that the temple had been situated in this area since before the relocation of Heijo-kyo (the ancient capital of Japan in current Nara).
付近からは奈良時代前期にさかのぼる古瓦が出土しており、行基の開基であるかどうかは別としても、この付近に平城京遷都以前にさかのぼる寺院のあったことがわかる。