BUDDHIST TEMPLE - TODAIJI

NARA DAIBUTSU

SICA CERVUS SICA DEER

NARA

SHORO

Nara Daibutsu Constructed 752 AD

Located at Tdaiji Temple in Nara, this bronze statue embodies Birushana Nyorai. Over the centuries, the statue (first cast in 752) has been damaged in various fires, natural disasters, and civil disturbances, but it has always been restored. Its appearance today, however, may not accurately represent its earlier magnificence. In the 9th century, an earthquake knocked off its head. In 1180 and again in 1567, its right hand was melted in accidental fires. The body of the statue was reconstructed in 1185, and the head rebuilt in 1692. At 15 meters (without pedestal) and weighing 250 tons, it is reportedly the largest gilt-bronze effigy in the world. The wooden structure that houses the statue -- the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) -- is supposedly the worlds largest wooden building. The present-day hall dates to the early 18th century and is only 66% of its former size. Its rebuilding was completed in 1708 but the repair and replacement of its damaged interior statues was still underway in the 1750s. Birushana (Skt. = Vairocana) is the main object of worship in the Kegon-ky (Flower Garland Sutra; Skt. = Avatamsaka Sutra), which is the scriptural authority of Japans Kegon sect. The sects head temple, then and today, is Tdaiji, one of Japans oldest and most influential temples, one that greatly impacted the early development of Buddhism in Japan. Birushana is also the central deity of Japans Tendai and Shingon sects ofEsoteric Buddhism (both sects emerged in the early 9th century). Among these two, Birushana is known as Dainichi Nyorai (the Cosmic Buddha, the Great Solar Buddha). Vairocana literally means belonging to, or coming from, the sunlight.

STATUE HISTORY The Nara Daibutsu was commissioned by Emperor Shmu (701-756) to symbolize the unification of the state and Buddhism under a system known as Chingo Kokka Bukky (Buddhism for the protection and preservation of the nation). Shmu is considered one of Japans greatest patrons of Buddhism, having ordered the nationwide establishment of provincial temples (kokubunji ) and nunneries (kokubun-niji ). Each was directly answerable to the center of the country, with Tdaiji in Nara acting as the head of all state-established temples. Shmu turned especially to the teachings of the Kegon sect to form the basis of government. One of his great achievements was to order the making of the Nara Daibutsu. Legend contents that Shmu himself carried buckets of dirt during the construction of the giant image. When it was completed (752), it was considered the largest statue of its kind in the world. Monk Gyki (668-749), director of Tdaijis Buddhist community, was instrumental in raising funds for the project. Another great achievement of Shmus is the Shsin , a massive treasurehouse of art collected by the emperor. The collection (still extant) was donated to Tdaiji in 756 by Shmu's widow, Empress Kmy . Today, Tdaijis Daibutsuden is still reportedly the largest wooden structure in the world (reconstructed by 1708), some 48 meters in height, 57 in width, and nearly 50 in depth. Tdaiji also served as the official government ordination platform, where novices & clergy received orthodox (state-approved) ordination as monks or nuns. This allowed the court to limit the number of men & women filling the ranks of the Buddhist clergy.

Shmus embrace of Buddhism also involved the notion of building spiritual merit for oneself and others. Known as Chishiki in Japanese and translated as pious contribution. Originally a Sanskrit term (mitra) meaning friend or companion, in Japan it came to designate any person who spread the Buddhist teachings in hopes of saving others. Chishiki was a means to accumulate spiritual merit and thus improve ones own chance of salvation. It came in many forms, from those who founded and maintained temples, to those who devoted their money, land, or efforts to advance the cause of Buddhism. The Chishiki ideal came to prominence with Shmu, whose giant bronze Buddha statue was financed not only by the state but by the pious contributions of devotees, parishioners, and lay people. The chishiki ideal meant that the benefits of constructing & maintaining the giant statue would accrue to anyone who participated in the endeavor, no matter how small their contribution. Additionally, the Nara period might rightfully be called the Shmu Era, for the capital in Nara during his reign (724 to 749) covered about 35 square miles and was home to over one million people. It represented Japan's first real age of imperial splendor. Says scholar Ross Bender in the PMJS Forum:The Tamukeyama Hachiman shrine to the east of Tdaiji is not as well-known as it might be, but it is home to Tdaijis guardian deity. Although the shrines present location dates from 1237, it is the heir of the shrine built when the Shinto deity Hachiman came to Nara in 757 AD.

Nara
Nara prosper como capital de la Corte Imperial de edades antiguas hasta que la capital se traslad a Kioto al finalizar el siglo VIII; en ella se conserva la rica herencia de cultura y construcciones budistas, y se siguen desenterrando aqu preciosas ruinas antiguas. Hay en Nara numerosos edificios sencillos y ntidos, as como hileras de casas a tono, que junto con la rica naturaleza dejada en la ciudad, invitan al viajero a disfrutar de su calma. Sigue a Kioto en riqueza de herencia mundial (templos: Todaiji, Toshodai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Yakushi-ji, Gangoji. Santuarios: Kasuga Taisha, reliquias de Heijokyo, bosque primaveral en Kasuga Taisha). Son tambin dignos de verse los festivales en cada santuario y templo budista, as como los eventos anuales.

Atracciones principales
En Nara se puede sentir el alma de los japoneses a lo largo de la historia de Japn de edades antiguas. En el rea de Nara se pueden pasar horas y horas disfrutando plcidamente en sus suburbios de la rica naturaleza que conservan.

Parque de Nara
El Parque de Nara incluye a Kofuku-ji con Todaiji donde se arrellana el Gran Buda, y una pagoda de cinco techos; es un espacio turstico famoso tambin por sus numerosos encantadores venados. En el Museo Nacional puede verse el Shosoin (gran depsito en que se guardan preciosas propiedades culturales, como libros, de Todaiji).

Kasuga Taisha
Detrs de Kasuga Taisha, rodeado de arboledas se extiende el bosque primaveral del Monte Kasuga. Cedros gigantes japoneses crecen en la espesura; estn registrados como herencia mundial y, fijados en el camino de excursin, no se les permite entrar en el bosque.

Nara-cho

Pueden verse aqu el saln de la familia Imanishi, el Gangoji, viejas hileras de casas remanentes desde el periodo de Edo y la era de Meiji, as como la celosa de Machiya.

Saboreo
Para descanso del estmago y de los intestinos, lo mismo que para satisfaccin de los vegetarianos, recomendamos las saludables gachas de t, especialidad de Nara.

Kayu (una sopa espesa de arroz), Chameshi (arroz en t)

Arroz envuelto en hojas de caqui

Compras
En el centro de la ciudad hay varias arcadas, algunas de las cuales guardan la historia de la era de Nara (siglo VIII).

Artesanas tradicionales
Tales como muecas de madera (grabadas en madera usando un simple cuchillo), abanicos de Nara, pinceles y otras famosas artesanas tradicionales. Tambin son a propsito para regalos los bolsos kinchaku (accesorios hechos de tela que se pueden adherir con una cuerda) con sensacin de modernos en camo pintado de plantas o flores, dentro del Sarashi de Nara tejido a mano, o las cortinas noren (productos de tela principalmente. Cuelgan de las entradas de tiendas o particiones de las casas)