suffix, counter
counter for temples
Attached to the name of a Buddhist temple to count it, e.g., 一寺 (いちじ) 'one temple'. Used in formal or written contexts.
この地域には三寺があります。
There are three temples in this area.
京都には多くの古寺が点在している。
Many old temples are scattered throughout Kyoto.
The standalone noun 寺 (てら) means 'temple' and is the common word. The suffix/counter 寺 (じ) is used in compounds and counting.
The reading じ is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) of 寺, used in compounds and counters.