What was the significance of the Todaiji temple?
The purpose of the Todaiji was to act as the headquarters of a nationwide network of temples and become the Buddhist protector of the state. It, thus, became, too, a centre of learning and study with a college and libraries where sutras were translated.
Who built the Todaiji temple?
Emperor Shōmu
Tōdai-ji/Architects
Tōdai Temple, Japanese Tōdai-ji (“Great Eastern Temple”), monumental Japanese temple and centre of the Kegon sect of Japanese Buddhism, located in Nara. The main buildings were constructed between 745 and 752 ce under the emperor Shōmu and marked the adoption of Buddhism as a state religion.
Where is the Todaiji Temple located?
Nara Park
Todaiji is located in the northern part of Nara Park. It is about a 30 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, or about a 45 minute walk from JR Nara Station. It can also be reached by bus from either station. Get off at Todaiji Daibutsuden from where it is a 5-10 minute walk to Todaiji’s main building.
How old is Todaiji temple?
1,293c. 728 AD
Tōdai-ji/Age
What kind of the Buddha is the Great Buddha in Todaiji?
Buddha Vairocana
Its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden) houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu (大仏)….Role in early Japanese Buddhism.
| Tōdai-ji | |
|---|---|
| “Tōdai-ji” in kanji | |
| Japanese name | |
| Kanji | 東大寺 |
| showTranscriptions |
What is the Todaiji temple made out of?
wood
Japan’s Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji, or Great Eastern Temple, was rebuilt twice after fire destroyed it and is currently only two-thirds the original width. Being constructed entirely from wood and on a raised platform made it unique compared to Chinese temples, as did its simple bare wood interior.
What is Todaiji temple made of?
The best-known relic at Todaiji Temple is its Daibutsu, a colossal statue that, with 15 meters (49 feet) in height, is the world’s largest gilded bronze Buddha. It is housed in an all-wood building, the Daibutsu-den, 48 meters (157 feet) in height, the largest wooden building in the world.
When was Todaiji temple built?
728 AD
Tōdai-ji/Opened
How big is Todaiji?
Height: 14.98 m (49 ft 2 in) Face: 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in) Eyes: 1.02 m (3 ft 4 in) Nose: 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in)
What is the Todaiji Buddha made of?
bronze
The statue was inspired by similar statues of the Buddha in China and was commissioned by Emperor Shomu in 743. This colossal Buddha required all the available copper in Japan and workers used an estimated 163,000 cubic feet of charcoal to produce the metal alloy and form the bronze figure.
What is Todaiji temple used for Today?
Today it is the Head Temple of the Kegon Sect of Buddhism, serving as a place of prayer for peace and affluence on earth, as well as a center of Buddhist doctrinal research. Over the centuries, Todaiji has produced many famous scholar priests.
Who built the Tōdai-ji?
Tōdai-ji was built by Emperor Shomu in 728. During the Tenpyou Era, Japan was experiencing a series of epidemics and disease, and because of these problems, Emperor Shomu issued an edict in 741 to promote the building of provincial temples throughout the nation.
What is the largest Buddhist temple in the world?
T ō daiji Temple is the largest single wooden structure in the world and contains the largest statue of Buddha in Japan, possibly the largest in the world since the destruction of a large Buddha in Afghanistan. It is in any case the largest bronze Buddha in the world.
What is at the bottom of Tōdai-ji?
Outside the Daibutsuden at the bottom of the steps is the bronze Octagonal Lantern, one of the oldest treasures of Tōdai-ji, dating from the original building. The Shosoin, a long flat building, was the storehouse of the temple and now contains many Japanese treasures from the Tenpyou era.