Nara’s Tōdai-ji temple complex is a world heritage site that consists of the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall), subtemples, halls, pagodas and gates of exceptional historical and architectural interest.
The complex was built by order to Emperor Shōmu during the Nara Period (710 to 784), however it wasn’t completed until 798, after Japan’s capital had been moved from Nara to Kyoto. Legend has it that over two million labourers worked on its construction. The temple was built to house Nara’s Great Buddha, as well as to consolidate the country and Nara’s position as the capital of Japan and a powerful centre for Buddhism. The construction of Tōdai-ji brought Japan to the brink of bankruptcy. Today the complex is the headquarters of the Kengon school of Buddhism.
At the entrance to the complex stands the Nadai-mon gate. This huge gate is home to two fierce Niō guardians. These statues were originally carved in the 13th century and recently restored. They are some of the finest wooden statues in Japan.
Daibutsu-den is the largest wooden structure in the world. It burned down twice in fires which broke out as a result of war and the present structure was rebuilt in 1709 and scaled down to two-thirds of its original size.
Daibutsu-den houses the famous Vairocana statue, popularly known as the Daibutsu (Great Buddha). The original statue was cast in bronze in eight castings over a period of three years from 746 and was covered in gold leaf. Parts of the statue have been recast several times over the centuries and natural disasters including earthquakes and fires, have diminished the scale of the now 16-metre (53-feet) tall statue. The statue lost its head more than once and a slight difference can be seen between the colour of its head and its body. However, it is still one of the larges bronze figures in the world and consists of 437 tonnes of bronze and 130 kilograms of gold.
The Daibutsu is an image of Dainchi Nyorai (also known as Vairocana Buddha), the cosmic Buddha believed to give rise to all worlds and their respective Buddhas. It is believed that the Emperor Shōmu ordered the construction of the statue to protect against smallpox, which ravaged Japan in the preceding years. The Buddha’s hands send the messages ‘fear not’ and ‘welcome’.
Behind the Daibutsu is a pillar with a 50 centimetre wide hole through its base (the size of one of the Daibutsu’s nostrils) and it is said that if one climbs through this hole, he or she is assured of enlightenment.
Sixteen smaller Buddhas are arranged in a halo around the Daibutsu’s head, each of which symbolises one of the Daibutsu’s different mainfestations. They are graduated in size to appear the same size when viewed from the ground.
Daibutsu-den is also home to a number of smaller statues which are of great significance. Seated to the left of Daibutsu is Kokizo Bosatu, the bodhisattva of memory and wisdom, to whom students pray for help in their studies and the faithful pray for help on the path to enlightenment.
Standing to the left is Komokuten (Lord of Limitless Vision), who serves as a guardian of the Buddha. He stands upon a demon (jaki), which symbolises ignorance, and weilds a brush and scroll, which symbolise wisdom.
To the right of the Daibutsu stands Tamonten (Lord Who Hears All), another of the Buddha’s guardians. He holds a pagoda, which is said to represent a divine storehouse of wisdom.
Seated to the right of the Daibutsu is Nyoirin Kannon, one of the esoteric forms of Kannon Bodhisattva. This is one of the bodhisattva that preside over the six different realms of karmic rebirth.
Opening hours: November to February from 8:00 to 16:30; March from 8:00 to 17:00; April to September from 7:30 to 17:30; and October from 7:30 to 17:00. Tōdai-ji’s grounds can be visited free of charge, however there is a fee of ¥500 to enter the Daibutsu-den Hall.
SOURCES:
- Nara City Sightseeing Guide
- Lonely Planet Japan
- DK Eyewitness Japan
