Near a pond ("ike") where Prince Shōtoku bathed, a small hut ("bō"; priest's lodge, monk's living house attached to a Buddhist temple) was built and became the home of succeeding generations of Buddhist priests. This gave rise to the name "ikenobō". In the temple grounds, one stone is called "Heso-ishi". It means "bellybutton stone". It is said that it was the foundation stone of the original temple. Because this temple existed before the transfer of the national capital to Kyoto in 794, it has been claimed to be the center of the city.