Tōdai-ji

Name	Tōdai-ji
Denomination	Kegon
Venerated	Birushana-butsu (Vairocana)
Founded	First half of the 8th century
Founder	Emperor Shōmu
Address	1 Zōshi-chō, Nara-shi, Nara-ken
Country	Japan
Website	http://www.todaiji.or.jp/

, is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden), the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana,

Role in early Japanese Buddhism

Under the Ritsuryō system of government in the Nara Period, Buddhism was heavily regulated by the state through the . During this time, Tōdai-ji served as the central administrative temple for the provincial temples for the six Buddhist schools in Japan at the time: the Hossō, Kegon, Jōjitsu, Sanron, Ritsu and Kusha. Letters dating from this time also show that all six Buddhist schools had offices at Tōdai-ji, complete with administrators, shrines and their own library. During Kūkai's administration of the Sōgō, additional ordination ceremonies were added to Tōdai-ji, including ordination of the Bodhisattva Precepts from the Brahma Net Sutra and the esoteric Precepts, or Samaya, from Kukai's own newly established Shingon school of Buddhism. Additionally, Kūkai added an Abhiseka Hall for the use of initiating monks of the six Nara schools into the esoteric teachings. The 16 m (52 ft) high statue was built through eight castings over three years, the head and neck being cast together as a separate element. The making of the statue was started first in Shigaraki. After enduring multiple fires and earthquakes, the construction was eventually resumed in Nara in 745, The two figures were closely evaluated and extensively restored by a team of art conservators between 1988 and 1993. Until then, these sculptures had never before been moved from the niches in which they were originally installed. This complex preservation project, costing $4.7 million, involved a restoration team of 15 experts from the National Treasure Repairing Institute in Kyoto.

Dimensions of the Daibutsu

The temple gives the following dimensions for the statue: Height: Face: Eyes: Nose: Ears:

The statue weighs .

Temple precincts and gardens

.]] Various buildings of the Tōdai-ji have been incorporated within the overall aesthetic intention of the gardens' design. Adjacent villas are today considered part of Tōdai-ji.

Some of these structures are now open to the public. The time spent visiting one or more of these less well-known buildings can only enhance an appreciation of the temple complex itself.

Over the centuries, the buildings and gardens have evolved together as to become an integral part of a unique, organic and living temple community.

Japanese national treasures at Todai-ji

The architectural master-works are classified as:

Major historical events

728: Kinshōsen-ji, the forerunner of Tōdai-ji is established as a gesture of appeasement for the troubled spirit of Prince Motoi.

741: Emperor Shōmu calls for nationwide establishment of provincial temples; and Kinshōsen-ji appointed as the head provincial temple of Yamato. 743: The Emperor commands that a very large image Buddhist statue shall be built—the Daibutsu or Great Buddha—and initial work is begun at Shigaraki-no-miya. 745: The capital returns to Heijō-kyō, construction of the Great Buddha resumes in Nara. Usage of the name Tōdai-ji appears on record. 752: The Eye-opening Ceremony celebrating the completion of the Great Buddha held. 855: The head of the great statue of Buddha suddenly fell to the ground; and gifts from the pious from throughout the empire were collected to create another, more well-seated head for the restored Daibutsu.

Cultural references

Tōdai-ji has been used as a location in several Japanese films and television dramas. It was also used in the 1950s John Wayne movie The Barbarian and the Geisha when Nandaimon, the Great South Gate, doubled as a city's gates.

UNESCO-sponsored music festival

On May 20, 1994, the international music festival The Great Music Experience was held at Tōdai-ji, supported by UNESCO.

The Tokyo New Philharmonic Orchestra, X Japan, INXS, Bon Jovi, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tomoyasu Hotei, Roger Taylor, classic Japanese drummers, and a Buddhist monk choir. This event, organised by British producer Tony Hollingsworth, was simultaneously broadcast in 55 countries on May 22 and May 23, 1994.

Gallery

See also

Kōtoku-in, location of the Kamakura Great Buddha

Shōhō-ji, location of the Gifu Great Buddha

For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.

List of National Treasures of Japan (ancient documents)

List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)

List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)

List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)

List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)

List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)

List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)

New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Old Government Buildings (Wellington) - second-largest wooden building in the world

Ostankino Palace, third-largest wooden building in the world

Tourism in Japan

Notes

External links

The official Tōdai-ji homepage (Japanese)

Photos of Tōdai-ji Temple, its Lotus Hall and Ordination Hall

Photos of Tōdai-ji Temple and sika deer

Category:750s architecture Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1709 Category:745 establishments Category:Religious organizations established in the 8th century Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan Category:National Treasures of Japan Category:Buddhist temples in Nara Prefecture Category:Colossal Buddha statues Category:Gardens in Japan Category:Nara period