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The temple was founded by King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] in order to enshrine the spirit of his father, King [[Sho En|Shô En]]. The Zen master [[Kaiin]] of [[Nanzenji]] served as the first abbot of Engaku-ji, which he named after and based on the [[Zen]] temple [[Engakuji]] in [[Kamakura]]. A temple bell which was to become much celebrated was cast in [[1496]]. The 1.9 ton bell was recast in [[1697]].<ref>Gallery label, [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]], August 2013.</ref>

The temple was founded by King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] in order to enshrine the spirit of his father, King [[Sho En|Shô En]]. The Zen master [[Kaiin]] of [[Nanzenji]] served as the first abbot of Engaku-ji, which he named after and based on the [[Zen]] temple [[Engakuji]] in [[Kamakura]]. A temple bell which was to become much celebrated was cast in [[1496]]. The 1.9 ton bell was recast in [[1697]].<ref>Gallery label, [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]], August 2013.</ref>

Three main gates faced west, towards the Enkanchi (Enkan Pond) and [[Bentendo|Benten-dô]] ([[Benten]] Hall). Beyond them, a small pond known as Hôjô-chi was spanned by a small stone bridge called Hôjô-kyô, built in 1496. This path, from the central gate and across the bridge, led directly to the inner temple gate, and then to the main plaza, or ''[[garan]]'', of the temple, including a Buddha Hall (''butsuden''), bell tower, Great Hall (''ôdono''), and Oshôdô<!--御照堂-->, now gone. Many of these buildings were repaired or renovated over the years, especially in the 1580s-90s and the late 17th century. After the Great Hall burnt down in [[1721]], it was rebuilt and renamed the Ryûenden<!--龍淵殿-->.<ref>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref>

Three main gates faced west, towards the [[Ryutan|Enkanchi]] (Enkan Pond) and Benten-dô ([[Benten]] Hall). Beyond them, a small pond known as Hôjô-chi was spanned by a small stone bridge called Hôjô-kyô, built in 1496. This path, from the central gate and across the bridge, led directly to the inner temple gate, and then to the main plaza, or ''[[garan]]'', of the temple, including a Buddha Hall (''butsuden''), bell tower, Great Hall (''ôdono''), and Oshôdô<!--御照堂-->, now gone. Many of these buildings were repaired or renovated over the years, especially in the 1580s-90s and the late 17th century. After the Great Hall burnt down in [[1721]], it was rebuilt and renamed the Ryûenden<!--龍淵殿-->.<ref>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref>

A series of tablets in honor of the kings of Ryûkyû were erected at the temple, in a particular Ryukyuan order, with the earliest Okinawan kings ([[Shunten]], [[Eiso]], and [[Satto]]) at the center, the kings of the First Shô Dynasty on each end of the row, and the latest kings, those of the Second Shô Dynasty, between them. In short, the arrangement looked something like this:

A series of tablets in honor of the kings of Ryûkyû were erected at the temple, in a particular Ryukyuan order, with the earliest Okinawan kings ([[Shunten]], [[Eiso]], and [[Satto]]) at the center, the kings of the First Shô Dynasty on each end of the row, and the latest kings, those of the Second Shô Dynasty, between them. In short, the arrangement looked something like this: