Todaiji (東大寺 Eastern Great
Temple)
complex is the most famous and important landmark in Nara Prefecture. The Great
Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden 大仏殿)
is known as the largest wooden temple in the world. This place serves as place
of worship and Japanese headquarters of Kegon school of Buddhism. Over
centuries, Todaiji has produced a lot of famous scholar priests.
Got off from JR Nara Station and walked about 15-20 minutes.
Don’t get surprised that, over here, deer (鹿 shika)
could walk freely! There are even signs to warn people to watch out for the
deer. According to folklore, deer is a
messenger of Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto, one of four Gods of Kasuga Shrine. Until
1637, killing deer here could cause punishment to death. But now, even though the
stamp of sacred deer has been erased, deer is protected as well.
You would buy
deer cracker (shika senbei) too, if you want to feed them. It costs 150 yen per
pack. Anyway, be careful! We know that the deers are extremely cute (really, they
are! ) but once they see someone with deer crackers, they will approach you
directly. Generally calm but some are aggressive. Foody is one of the victims.
Hahaha....
Todaiji (東大寺 Eastern Great
Temple) complex, built in Nara period
(710-794 AD), stands in the former site of Kinshosen-ji (金鐘山寺).
Kinshosen-ji was built based on the order of Emperor Shōmu (45th emperor of Japan) to be presented as a appeasement for his passed-away-one-year-old
son, Prince Motoi. The location was in the east of Heijō –kyō (now is Nara). Todaiji was founded
by Bishop Ruben and chief object of worship is Vairocana Buddha that is the
central Buddha of Kegon Sutra.
To enter Daibutsuden
(Great Buddha Hall), the admission ticket costs 500 yen. Soon you’ll find a
huge Daibutsuden and Nandaimon (Great South Gate).
This gate has two big Nio Guardian
wooden statues, Agyo (with opened mouth-to scare off demons) represents
beginning of the universe while Ungyo (with closed mouth-to keep in good
spirits) represents end of universe. Birth and death.
Inside the Great
Buddha Hall, you can find an amazing Vairocana
Buddha statue or simply called as Daibutsu (大仏). Its height reaches 14,98 metres
and Great Hall hall ’s height is 48,74 metres. The statue is made by bronze,
then plated by gold.
Minuature of original temple complex before roconstruction |
Minuature of Daibutsu |
Due to fire
attacks of war in 1180 and 1567, there were a lot of damages that were caused.
Now, Great Buddha Hall is just 2/3 of the original size. The current statue’s
hands were made in Momoyama period (1568-1615) and the head was made in Edo
period (1615-1867).
Lucky charm that is sold inside Great Buddha Hall |
In the sub-complex of this temple, you may also find Nigatsudo Hall. If
you are lucky enough to visit this site on 1-14 March, you can join the Omizutori
festival in that period. This hall opens 24 hours and Otaimatsu can be watched
from the courtyard below the hall.
Omizutori Festival credit : japan-guide.com |
11th : 20 minutes from 7PM
12th : 45 minutes from 7.30PM
13th : 20 minutes from 7PM
14th : 5 minutes from 6.30PM
The appointed priests will bring 6-8 metres torches and carry those to
the hall. The burning embers that shower from balcony mean erasing peoples’s sins as spring of new year.
credit : www.todaiji.or.jp |
Enough having sightseeing, here we go again with deers outside the
Todaiji complex. There are also shopping shops for snacks, foods and souvenirs.
Great view and peaceful! さすがな東大寺 =)
Admission Times (The Great Buddha Hall)
Nov - Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr - Sept
|
Oct
|
|
Open
|
8:00
|
7:30
|
||
Closed
|
16:30
|
17:00
|
17:30
|
17:00
|
(No closing days, last admission 30
minutes before)
Admission Times (Todaiji Museum:*We may be closed temporarily)
Nov - Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr – Sept
|
Oct
|
|
Open
|
9:30
|
|||
Closed
|
16:30
|
17:00
|
17:30
|
17:00
|
Last admission 30minutes before
|
Admission Fees (The Great Buddha Hall /Todaiji
Museum)
Adult : 500 yen
Primary School student :
300 yen
Joint pass for Great Buddha Hall and
Todaiji Museum
Adult : 800 yen
Primary School student :
400 yen
Address : 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara Prefecture 630-821
Japan
Japan
Website : www.todaiji.or.jp
We eat, we walk, we talk
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Todai-ji is wonderful temple. Omamori (japanese charms) of Todai-ji you can buy on www.omamori.com ... I love Japan! ... I hope one day to get back on Japan
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