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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, one od the largest wooden building in the world. The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) has been rebuilt twice after fire. The current building was finished in 1709, and although immense—57 metres long and 50 metres wide—it is actually 30% smaller than its predecessor. Until 1998, it was the world's largest wooden building. It has been surpassed by modern structures, such as the Japanese baseball stadium 'Odate Jukai Dome', amongst others. The Great Buddha statue has been recast several times for various reasons, including earthquake damage. The current hands of the statue were made in the Momoyama Period (1568–1615), and the head in the Edo period (1615–1867).

Tōdai-ji (Eastern Great Temple), the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall)

Popularly called the Nara Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Nara), the statue was installed in

the huge Daibutsuden

 (Great Buddha Hall)

The Buddha is seated with the palm of his right hand extended

forward.

This is one of the main five

gestures of the hands in Buddha

statues and means "fear

not" and “conversion of jealousy and envy into all-

accomplishing wisdom”

The position of the right hand

signifies “Do not fear.”

The position of the left hand

means “Welcome”

The Daibutsu is properly known as Vairocana Buddha, the Buddha the light of whose knowledge and compassion illumines widely

The Buddha was completed in 751, having consumed most of Japan’s

bronze production for several years and leaving the country almost

bankrupt

Ears: 2.54 m

Since it was built in 749, the Daibutsu has been repaired and renovated after damage incurred by

earthquakes: even its head has fallen off

once

Vairocana Buddha (“Buddha that

shines throughout the world like the sun” or “Universal

Light”) is the central Buddha in the Kegon Sutra.

The statue of Vairocana Buddha is made from cast bronze, which was

then plated with gold

The Buddha’s hair, which has been described as “like a spiral perm,” consists of 966 balls whose diameter is 18 cm and whose height is 30 cm each.

The base of the statue that remains today dates from the 8th century, while the upper portion, including the head, was largely recast in the second half of the 12th century.

The Buddha is surrounded by a “halo” or “aura” of smaller bodhisattvas. These are graduated in size so that they all appear the same size from the worshipper’s perspective

Recently, using x-rays, a human tooth, along with pearls, mirrors, swords, and jewels were discovered inside of the knee of the Great Buddha; these are believed to be the relics of Emperor Shomu

Model of the original Tōdaiji (and of the two pagodas) 1/50

The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) was burned in the fires of war in 1180 and 1567, and the current building is actually the third-generation structure, which was built in the Edo period (completed in 1709). The width of the current building is approximately 33% smaller than that of the original structure, but it still ranks as one of the largest wooden structure in the world

The hall has 112,589 roofing tiles weighing some 1,200 tons. Supporting this massive weight are 62 pillars, each so huge that three people joining hands together are required to encircle it.  Some of the pillars have lotus footings©Andrew Royle

A popular attraction is a pillar with a hole in its base that is the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who can squeeze through this opening will be granted enlightenment in their next life

Lotus petals of Buddha’s Pedestal (Full-Scale Replica)

On the lotus petals on the base of the Great Buddha are engravings of the World of the Lotus Treasury (Rengezō sekai), pictorial representations of the “world of enlightenment” described in the sutra. They are beautiful representations of the notion that each individual is not an isolated existence, but that all phenomena have limitless connections and dimensions and that the entire universe is enveloped in the light of Vairocana’s wisdom

On either side of Vairocana is one of a pair of golden statues of esoteric bosatsu. To his right is Kokūzō symbolizing emptiness and wisdom as vast as the void.  To his left is Nyoirin Kannon; one of the forms of Kannon (Guānyīn/ Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassionate mercy)

Kokuzo symbolizes the vast and boundless Buddha wisdom permeating the universe. Introduced in the late Nara period as part of a rite to improve one’s memory, Kokuzo was one of the first Buddhist deities to arrive in Japan

Kokūzō (Ākāśagarbha, the boundless space treasury bodhisattva), is said to grant memory and intelligence. People also pray to Kokuzo to improve their technical and artistic skills

 

Kokūzō  Bodhisattva

Nyoirin Kannon, bodhisattva of the jewel and the wheel, presides over the six realms of karmic rebirth

Nyoirin Kannon,

The statues were added in the Heian period (late 8th to late 12th century AD)

Deities, protectors of Buddhism, who guard each of the four directions of the compass from harmful and dangerous influences: Komokuten (West)

Komokuten means wide-eyed or expansive vision Komokuten sees through evil, punishes evil and encourages enlightenment. Komokuten statues often show him with brush and scroll (for writing sutras), or clenching the right fist, the left holding a spear.

Tamonten (North, Winter, Earth, Wealth) means renowned, the well-known one.Tamonten is all-knowing, hears everything, and is completely versed in Buddha’s teachings.

Tamonten protects holy places and carries a pagoda treasure house in his left hand

His right hand holds a spear

Tamonten is also God of War, protector of the righteous, and the Buddhist patron of warriors

© Ron Reznick

Heavenly Kings Heads of Zochoten (South, Summer, Fire) and Jikokuten (East, Spring, Water, Strength) Zōchōten and Jikokuten were never finished -- but their carved heads are on display inside the hall

©Mark Schumacher

The Varada mudrā ("favourable mudrā") signifies offering, welcome, charity, giving, compassion and sincerity. It is nearly always shown made with the left hand by a revered figure devoted to human salvation from greed, anger and delusion

The Tengu's long noses – onigawara (a type of roof ornamentation)

One of the most adored features of this temple, the statue is from the 18th century. He is known for his magical healing and his mastery of occult and psychic powers.  He holds a sutra box and has a slightly sinister smile on his face.  Binzuru, to the Japanese, also embodies all of the arakan (arhats) and by paying respects to him, you are also paying respects to all of the sages

Tōdai-ji (Eastern Great Temple), the Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall)

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

Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanuwww.slideshare.net/michaelasanda

Sound: The Yoshida Brothers - Cherry Blossoms in Winter (Fuyu No Sakura) 2016