Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Daibutsu

Great Buddha
Todaiji Temple, Nara
October 9, 2015
JTB Tour 2


Great Buddha of Nara - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The Nara Daibutsu or the Great Buddha of Nara

Inside the Todaiji Temple's main hall, the prominent Nara Daibutsu or Great Buddha of Nara is an incredible sight to behold.  On an elevated stage directly in front of it was a group of monks chanting. They were rehearsing for an important prayer event.


Here's a short video clip.




Daibutsuden in Nara, Japan - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The monks working hard in preparation for a special occasion.

Great Buddha of Nara - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The lower platform is neatly laden with tatami mats and instruments.

I was in awe of the large statue. With my eyes, I traced its every intricate detail. Behind its bronze body is a shiny gold backdrop embellished with tiny buddha figures. I'm guessing it's the halo.


Nara Daibutsu - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
To give you an idea of the enormous size:  the bronze lotus petal next to the Great Buddha is 10 feet tall.

Daibutsuden in Todaiji Temple - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
With this photo, you can gauge the enormity of this building and the Great Buddha.

The Vairocana Buddha is the Todaiji Temple's chief object of worship. It is known to be the "Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun." Though it has been damaged several times due to fires or earthquakes, it has always been repaired. It's astounding to realize that the current statue dates back to 1692.


Great Buddha Hall, Todaiji Temple - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
For scale, I took this picture showing tourists taking photos of the Great Buddha.

Seated next to the Great Buddha is a Bodhisattva or enlightened one, known to help people overcome their obstacles.

Kokuuzo Bosatsu, Daibutsuden - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
To the left of the Great Buddha is Kokuuzo Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of wisdom and memory.

Kokuuzo Bosatsu, Daibutsuden - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
Look at the exquisite and gilded back side of the Bodhissattva statue.

One of the most imposing statues inside the hall is the a highly detailed wooden carving of Koumokuten, a Celestial guardian and protector of Buddha's realm.


Koumokuten giant wooden statue - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The giant statue of the guardian Koumokuten is a detailed wooden carving.

Near this giant statue is the popular "healing pillar." The wooden pillar has a small opening where visitors endeavor to crawl through. If successful, one is believed to find lasting enlightenment and a guaranteed place in heaven.

Great Buddha Hall, Todaiji Temple - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The Great Buddha Hall or Daibutsuden, the largest wooden structure in the world.

The Daibutsuden has also been destroyed many times in the past because of fires of war and natural disasters. But it was always rebuilt to house the Great Buddha. The current building is only about 1/3 smaller than the original, yet it is the world's largest wooden structure.


Octagonal Lantern, Todaiji Temple - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
A closer look at the Octagonal Lantern, one of the oldest treasures of the temple.
 
Monks of Todaiji Temple - www.curiousadventurer.blogspot.com
The monks walking back to the monastery after their rehearsal.

 

Some fun facts:

Great Buddha Hall
Height = 159.89 feet

Great Buddha
Height of Body = 48.91 feet
Length of Head = 17.39 feet
Length of Eye = 3.34 feet
Length of Ear = 8.33 feet

Octagonal Lantern
Height = 15.15 feet


This story continued from Divine Messengers

No comments:

NOLA 300 - Mardi Gras and New Orleans

This blog has moved to a new site:   curiousdonna.com/blog Read about  NOLA 300   here .