Page 200 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

198 ASIA Todai-ji Temple, Nara

~
~ CHINA -~~SIAN There are many reasons to visit the impressive Todai-ji Temple
in Nara, but its sheer size must be the main attraction. The

:J =~~~AT ION temple is only two-thirds of its original size, due to fires and
~ alterations over the centuries, yet it is still the largest wooden
KO Rf.A SEA OF JAPAN building in the world. An enormous and costly project, Todai-
~ (EASTSEA)
~
SOUTH JAPAN ji was ordered by Emperor Shomyo in the mid-8th century
K OREA
• Tokyo to highlight the position of Nara as a powerful Buddhist site
TODAI-)1 TEMPLE, 0
• 'NARA
and Japan's capital. Inside is a magnificent 53-ft (16-m) high
PACIFIC
OCEAr.t seated bronze statue of the Buddha-the largest in Japan.
Stone lantern at
Todai-ji Temple
EMPEROR SHOMYO
The imperial court at Nara embraced Buddhism OMIZU-TORI FESTIVAL
in the 8th century, during the reign of Emperor
The Omizu-tori, or water-drawing festival,
Shomyo (r 724-49) Shomyo built temples in Koumolcuten
has been celebrated at Todai-ji Temple
every pro vi nee and used this vast network to si nee the 8th century to signa I the a rriva I This statue of a
"Celestial Guardian"
consolidate control of his empire .. However, he of spring. During the festiva I, which is held dates from the mid-Edo
is best known for commissioning the Todai-ji from March 1 to 14, water is ritually drawn period (1603-1868)
Temple and its Great Buddha Vairocana from a sacred well in the early hours on the
statue in 743. The statue was a phenomenal 13th day to the sound of music. Enormous
endeavor that took seven years to complete, torches are used to purify the water.
consumed most of Japan's bronze production
for several years, and left the country almost
bankrupt When the temple finally opened in
752, Shomyo personally painted the statue's
eyes and declared himself the Buddha's servant

TODAI-JI TEMPLE'S CONSTRUCTION
Japan has extensive forest resources, and wood
was a favored building material for centuries, l;;i;J Kolcuzo Bosatsu
particularly for tempi es, mainly because of its
ability to endure weathering in winter. This has,
however, also meant that such structures are
highly susceptible to devastating fires. Todai-ji
Temple's Great Buddha Hall is constructed in
the traditional post -and-lintel style. The base of
the hall has posts anchored along a rectangular
perimeter. This rigid geometric shape marks
the boundary between the material and divine
worlds. There are 62 pillars supporting the
grand, sloping roof. A unique roof construction
(Wooden Hall) is effective in resisting the many
major and minor earthquakes that hit Japan.

BUDDHISM IN JAPAN
Buddhism was founded in India and arrived in
Japan via China and Korea in the 6th century.
Prince Shotoku (573-621) promoted Buddhism
in its early days. Initially, despite incorporating
parts of its belief system, Buddhism had an
uneasy relationship with Japan's oldest religion, l;;i;J Great Buddha Vairo<ana
Shinto. Buddhism lost official support after The casting of this vast statue
required hundreds of tons of
Shinto was declared Japan's national religion in
molten bronze, mercUiy, and
1868, but it flowered again after World War II vegetable wax. Fires and earth-
Today, the beliefs and morality of Buddhism quakes have destroyed the head GREAT BUDDHA HAll
several times; the current head The main hall of Todai-ji was rebuilt
permeate modern Japanese life, especially the several times after natural disasters in the
Zen Buddhist emphasis on simplicity and mental dates from 1692.
12th and 16th centuries. The enormous
control Buddhist temples in Japan include figure inside is a jaw-dropping sight
a main hall (hondo), with a stark interior, a Occasionally, it is possible to see monks
cemetery, a small Shinto shrine, and, often, a climbing onto the Buddha's raised hand
tiered pagoda housing a relic of the Buddha. to dust the statue.