On a hill on the island of Awaji is the new main hall of an existing Buddhist temple. The approach to this underground sanctuary, situated beneath a large oval lotus pond, is carefully designed. A path of white sand leads up the hill to an opening at one end of a long freestanding wall. Another wall, behind the first, follows the curve of the pond beyond it. The path continues between the two walls and then doubles back along the edge of the pond to the point where a staircase descends into the hall, bisecting the pond. The red-washed pillared hall has a centrally placed statue of Buddha and a single corner opening to the west for natural light.