Page 216 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

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TODAI-JI

東大寺
⌂ 406-1 Zoshicho @ Daibutsuden Kasuga-Taisha-mae
EXPERIENCE Western Honshu The construction of Todai-ji was ordered by Emperor
stop # Mar: 8am–5pm daily; Apr–Sep: 7:30am–5:30pm
daily; Oct: 7:30am–5pm daily; Nov–Feb: 8am–4:30pm daily
∑ todaiji.or.jp
Shomu ostensibly to house Nara’s Great Buddha image
but also to consolidate the position of the city as the
capital and a powerful center of Buddhism.

This temple is the headquarters of the Kegon school
of Buddhism. A World Heritage Site, Todai-ji consists
of the Great Buddha hall (Daibutsuden), and sub-
temples, halls, pagodas, and gates of excep tional
historical and architectural interest. The most impres-
sive building is undoubtedly the Great Buddha Hall.
It was rebuilt twice and the current structure, com-
pleted in 1709, is only two-thirds of the original
size. Despite this fact, it is still reputedly the largest
wooden building in the world. Natural disasters have
also failed to diminish the scale of the seated figure
inside. At 53-ft (16-m) high, it is the world’s largest
bronze image of the Buddha. Behind the Buddha is a
small hole bored into a large wooden pillar. A popular
belief holds that if you can squeeze through the hole
you will be protected from bad things happening to Entrance
you in the future.

Natural disasters have also failed
to diminish the scale of the seated The Great Buddha Hall
with the towering
figure inside. At 53-ft (16-m) high, statue inside, at Todai-ji
it is the world’s largest bronze
image of the Buddha.

Timeline 752 1692 1709 1994
▲ After fires and
▲ The construction of
▲ International names,
▲ The current Great
including Bob Dylan, Jon
Buddha Hall is
earthquakes dislodged
the temple is ordered by
Emperor Shomu and the
Mitchell, perform at the
current head of the
first incarnation of the previous versions, the constructed. Bon Jovi, INXS, and Joni
Great Buddha is cast. Great Buddha was cast temple for four nights in
and has remained in May during the Great
place ever since. Music Experience.
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