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Todaiji, a temple complex in the city of Nara in Nara Prefecture, was built in the year 743. At that time Buddhism was at its height, and served as a state religion. The best-known relic at Todaiji Temple is its Daibutsu, a colossal statue that, with 15 meters in height, is the world's largest gilded bronze Buddha. It is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, 48 meters in height, the largest wooden building in the world. Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784. Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples, "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara", a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nandaimon, the Great Southern Gate

Established in 1880, Nara Parlk is the location of many of Nara's main attractions

Kagami-ike (mirror pond) Nara Park

Kagami-ike (mirror pond) Nara Park

To Nigatsu-dō

The name Nigatsu-dō, or Second Month Hall is derived from the fact that the Shuni-e Ceremony is held here during the second month of the lunar calendar

The structure is said to have been first erected by the monk Jitchū (fl. 760-820), Rōben’s chief disciple. In 1667, however, a fire broke out inside the hall in the midst of the ceremony, and the original was destroyed. The present building is a reconstruction of 1669. The Nigatsudo Hall offers nice views of the city from its balcony, and is the site of the spectacular Omizutori ceremonies, which are held annually March 1 through 14

The acoustics of the hall are said to be particularly fine and with an inner sanctum, outer sanctum and

worship hall it is particularly well suited for the

rituals held there

Todaiji's grounds are spacious and cover most of northern Nara Park, including some smaller buildings to the east of the main hall

This sōrin is a replica from the temple’s original seven-storied pagoda

If you admire the Japanese pagodas, you probably noticed the complex structures decorating the top. Called sōrin (which can be translated as “alternate rings"), they are usually made of bronze, with a very complicated design and an impressive size.Because it’s on top of the pagoda, the sōrin is usually hard so see. But at the Todai-ji Temple from Nara, you can admire from up-close a dismantled sōrin, the one that decorated the replica of the Todai-ji seven-storied pagoda that was built for the Expo ‘70 World Fair from Osaka. After the fair, the sōrin was displayed at the Todai-ji Temple, close to the Daibutsuden Hall.Tōdai-ji had two pagodas, both of which have unfortunately been destroyed by earthquakes. This sōrin is a replica from the temple’s original seven-storied pagoda

This monument is a replica of the Aśoka pillar-head in Sarnath, India. It was presented to the temple by the All Japan Young Buddhist Association in 1988. Buried beneath it is a time capsule which will be opened in 2038, on the 1,500th anniversary of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan

Todaiji main hall

Todaiji shoroThe Bell Tower which soars conspicuously into the sky was built between 1207 and 1210

Roof detail

Todaiji shoroThe bell, which weighs 26.3 tons, dates from the time of the founding of Tōdai-ji. One of the Three Famous Bells of Japan, it is known for its long ring

Fukūkenjaku Kannon (3,62m) flanked by Nikko (right) and Gakko (left) with hands in the Gassho mudra (prayer, veneration)

Todaiji Culture Center

Nikko is the Bodhisattva of Sunlight (Solar Radiance) and Gakko is the Bodhisattva of Moonlight (Lunar Radiance)  Gakko Nikko

Suryaprabha (Nikkō bosatsu) is a bodhisattva whose specialty is sunlight and

good health

Candraprabha (literally

"Moonlight“),  Gekkō

bosatsu) 

Fukūkenjaku Kannon (H = 3.62 meters)

Painted clay statue of the guardian deity Shūkongōjin

(Vajradhara), 733 ce, early Nara period; in the Hokke Hall

To Middle gate of Todaiji Temple

Middle gate of Todaiji Temple

Middle gate to Great Buddha Hall

Text: InternetPictures: Sanda Foişoreanu Nicoleta Leu Gabriela Balaban InternetCopyright: All the images belong to their authors

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: Toshinori Yonekura - Faintly blue 2016