- 1175
- Hōnen, the founder of the Jōdo Shū (Pure Land Sect), builds a grass hermitage here and spreads the teaching of the “exclusive nembutsu.”
- 1207
- Persecuted by the older sects of Buddhism, Hōnen is exiled to Sanuki, on the island of Shikoku.
- 1211
- Hōnen returns to Kyoto. He enters the Nanzen-in meditation hermitage atop Mt. Ōtani (the site of the present-day Seishidō).
- 1212
- Hōnen passes away in the first month of the year. His disciples build a mausoleum in Ōtani, where he spent his last days.
- 1227
- Soldier-monks from Mt. Hiei destroy the Ōtani Mausoleum.
- 1234
- Hōnen’s disciple Genchi constructs various temple buildings and declares Hōnen to be the founder of the temple.
- 1517
- There was a fire at the temple in the eighth month (lunar calendar). The image of Hōnen and the Illustrated Biography of Hōnen (Hōnen Shōnin Gyōjō Ezu) survive the fire.
- 1524
- An imperial edict ordering memorial services for Hōnen is issued, marking the beginning of the annual “Gyoki-Daie” service (from January 18-25) for Hōnen.
- 1530
- The Seishidō is rebuilt. Emperor Go-Nara writes and donates calligraphic scrolls which read “Chionkyōin” and “Ōtanidera.”
- 1573
- Oda Nobunaga quarters soldiers at Chion-in.
- 1585
- Toyotomi Hideyoshi allocates an estate yielding 190 koku (approximately 942 bushels of rice) to the temple.
- 1603
- Tokugawa Ieyasu declares Chion-in to be the eternal family temple for the Tokugawa clan and grants an estate yielding 703 koku (approximately 3458 bushels of rice) to the temple.
- 1604
- Tokugawa Ieyasu partitions the land belonging to another temple, the Shōren-in, and commissions the construction of temple buildings.
- 1607
- Emperor Go-Yōzei appoints his son, Prince Hachi-no-Miya, to be the chief head priest of Chion-in.
- 1619
- The Bakufu (shogun’s government) commences construction of the Sanmon (main gate) and Kyōzō (sutra repository). Construction is completed two years later.
- 1633
- Fire on the temple grounds. Only the Sanmon (main gate) and Kyōzō (sutra repository) are spared.
- 1641
- Various temple buildings are rebuilt (such as the present day Mieidō (hall that houses the image of Hōnen), Ōhōjō (large guest house), and Kohōjō (small guest house)).
- 1697
- Hōnen is bequeathed the posthumous title of Enkō Daishi (Great Master of Tranquil Light).
- 1710
- Retired Emperor Reigen donates a placard written in his own hand which reads “Kachōzan.”
- 1711
- The 500th anniversary of the death of Hōnen. The Koshiki Hōyō (Ancient Ceremonies) rituals are established.
- 1835
- The Ōhōjō (large guest house), Kuromon (black gate), and Shūedō (assembly hall) are repaired.
- 1872
- Chion-in becomes an exhibition site and Emperor Meiji pays a visit.
- 1877
- From this year on, Gyoki, dai-e(the memorial services for Hōnen) are held in April.
- 1910
- Ceremonies celebrating the completion of the reconstruction of the Amida-dō (hall that houses the image of Amida) are held.
- 1911
- The 700th anniversary of the death of Hōnen. The Kachō Jogakuin (Kachō Girls’ Academy) is founded.
- 1961
- Services are held for the 750th anniversary of the death of Hōnen.
- 1970
- The Chion-in Shiryō Hensanjo (Chion’in Historical Records Center) is opened. Ground is broken for the Wajun Kaikan Hall, a training hall for lay followers.
- 1972
- Services are held celebrating the completion of the Wajun Kaikan Hall.
- 1974
- The Gongendō (hall that houses the memorial tablets for the Tokugawa clan) is completed. Services celebrating the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Jōdo Shū are held.
- 1980
- Memorial services for the 1300th anniversary of the death of Grand Master Zendō (Shandao) are held.
- 1982
- Services are held celebrating Hōnen’s 850th birthday.
- 1987
- Memorial services for the Three Famous Great Monks (Genchi, the second chief high priest of the Chion-in; Benchō, the second patriarch of the Jōdo Shū; and Ryōchū, the third patriarch of the Jōdo Shū) are held.
- 1992
- Services are held celebrating the completion of repairs done on the Sanmon (main gate). The Hōbutsuden (Buddha Treasure Hall) is completed.
- 2000
- Repairs to the Kyōzō (sutra repository) are completed and a celebratory service is held.
- 2002
- The Sanmon (main gate) and Mieidō (hall that houses the image of Hōnen) are declared National Treasures.
- 2010
- The restoration of the Shūedō (assembly hall) will be completed.
- 2011
- Services will be held in memorial of the 800th anniversary of the death of our founder, Hōnen.
- 2021
- The restoration of the Mieidō (hall that houses the image of Hōnen) will be completed.
