<P> Hōryū - ji (法隆寺, lit . Temple of the Flourishing Law) is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan . Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji (法 隆 学問 寺), or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as both a seminary and monastery . </P> <P> The temple's pagoda is widely acknowledged to be one of the oldest wooden buildings existing in the world, underscoring Hōryū - ji's place as one of the most celebrated temples in Japan . In 1993, Hōryū - ji was inscribed together with Hokki - ji as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū - ji Area . The Japanese government lists several of its structures, sculptures and artifacts as National Treasures . A 2001 study of its shinbashira, the central wooden column almost suspended inside the Tō, concluded the building to be a century older than previously thought . </P> <P> The temple was originally commissioned by Prince Shōtoku; at the time it was called Ikaruga - dera (斑鳩 寺), a name that is still sometimes used . This first temple is believed to have been completed by 607 . Hōryū - ji was dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and in honor of the prince's father . Excavations done in 1939 confirmed that Prince Shotoku's palace, the Ikaruga - no - miya (斑鳩 宮), occupied the eastern part of the current temple complex, where the Tō - in (東院) sits today . Also discovered were the ruins of a temple complex which was southwest of the prince's palace and not completely within the present temple complex . The original temple, named by modern historians and archaeologists Wakakusa - garan (若草 伽藍), was lost, probably burned to the ground after being hit by lightning in 670 . The temple was reconstructed but slightly reoriented in a northwest position, which is believed to have been completed by around 711 . The temple was repaired and reassembled in the early twelfth century, in 1374, and 1603 . </P> <P> In 1950 the maintainers of the temple broke away from the Hossō sect . The owners currently call the temple the headquarters of the "Shōtoku" sect . </P>

What was the purpose for building the monuments in the horyu ji area
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