In Hojo-ji Temple (defunct) built by FUJIWARA no Michinaga, Hossho-ji Temple, as erected at the wish of the Emperor Shirakawa, and Byodoin Hoodo (the Phoenix Hall or Amida Hall of Byodoin), etc., to the west of a pond is where the Amida hall was constructed, which symbolized reverence to higan (the Western paradise where Amitabha dwells) in this world.
藤原道長建立の法成寺（廃絶）、白河天皇発願の法勝寺（廃絶）、平等院鳳凰堂などでは池の西岸に阿弥陀堂が建ち、現世において彼岸（阿弥陀如来の住する西方極楽浄土）を拝するという意味があった。