Todaiji Temple, japan largest wooden structure in world
buddhadarshan News, New Delhi/ Tokio
Todaiji Temple, Nara Constructed in 752 A.D. on the ORDER of Emperor Shomu.
Todai-ji Temple’s Great Buddha Hall in Nara is the largest wooden structure in the world and houses an immense statue of Rushana Butsu.
The Daibutsu Hall contains this 14.84 metre bronze statue of the “Cosmic Buddha” (Mahavairocana),
later known as Dainichi Nyorai in Japan’s esoteric Buddhism.
Lumbini, birth place of Buddha
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) weighs 500 metric tonnes. In 784, Emperor Kammu moved the capital
from Heijo-kyo (Nara) to Nagaoka and
then Heian-kyo (Kyoto) to escape the meddlesome influence of the powerful Nara temples on affairs
of state.
Bodhgaya, buddha attained enlightenment here
However, Todai-ji Temple had close links with the imperial family and nearby Kofuku-ji was the clan
temple of the powerful Fujiwaras, so both continued to exert some influence on the court.
Sarnath, Lord Buddhas first preaching place
Todai-ji was one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, which flourished before the capital was moved
and remained influential for centuries.The Daibutsu Hall contains a number of important sculptures
and more can be found at the temple’s nearby Hokkedo (Lotus Hall) and Kaidan-in (Ordination Hall)
-This information given by my colleague Pranaty Tiwari Mukharji from Japan
