In the early Heian period, Kukai introduced organized esoteric Buddhism to Japan, and formulated a plan to make three-dimensional Garbadhatu and Vajradhatu Mandalas in stupas and Buddhist halls. By this time in the Shingon Buddhist sect, the outlook on the buddhist world of Garbadhatu and Vajradhatu Mandalas had permeated as an idea of architectural space. Though the Tendai Buddhist sect also adopted esoteric Buddhism, Garbadhatu and Vajradhatu Mandalas as an idea of architectural space had only a small influence there. In Buddhist halls we can observe more varied compositions of Garbadhatu and Vajradhatu Mandalas than in stupas. And under the rule of the retired Emperor Shirakawa, Garbadhatu and Vajradhatu Mandalas had been very influential upon the space of Buddhist architecture of the Imperial family and the nobility.
