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| Ganjin |
Although T
ōsh
ōdaiji Temple is located in
what today seems to be the outskirts of Nara, 1200 years ago when Nara was the
capitol of Japan, this area was a central block of the city. It was in 759 A.D.
that Emperor Tenmu’s son, Prince Neetaby Shin-no granted the land for the
establishment of this temple. The name T
ōsh
ōdaiji is derived from the fact
that it’s first chief abbot, Ganjin, was from Toh, of the Tang Dynasty in
China, and that this temple (ji) was founded as a place for Buddhist training
under his guidance.
T
ōsh
ōdaiji
Temple is also known as Kenshoritsuji, which comes from the fact that it was
the first temple in Japan to be devoted to one of China’s Buddhist
denominations, the Nanzan sect. Today, T
ōsh
ōdaiji is regarded as the Head
Temple of Japan’s Ritsu-shu denomination of Buddhist teachings.
As a high priest in Daimyōji Temple in China, the
founder of Tōshōdaiji,
Abbot Ganjin (also known as Kakai-taishi) was invited to Japan by Emperor Shōmu
to teach Chinese Buddhism doctrine. Ganjin accepted the great task and his
determination was unfettered as it took him twelve years and five unsuccessful
attempts at crossing the ocean and ultimately suffering from blindness before
he arrived in Nara in 754 A.D. In Japan, Ganjin had an ordination platform created
in front of the Temple of the Great Image of Buddha at Tōdaiji Temple, where he initiated
the Buddhist teachings to not only many Japanese priests of high standing, but
to the Emperor Shōmu and Empress Kōken in person (one of three ordination platforms created by Ganjin, one was established in Kyushu and the third at Tōshōdaiji). It is during this time
that Japan was gradually forming itself into a Buddhist country, and it is said
that it was the arrival of Ganjin that gave Buddhism the importance in binding
it to Japanese culture. Ganjin’s contributions were so influential to bringing
Buddhism to Japan that he is a revered figure in Japanese history.
Retiring from Tōdaiji Temple, Ganjin had Tōshōdaiji
Temple built and remained there for four years until May 6, 763 A.D. when
Ganjin died at the age of 76. Ganjin’s disciples had a statue of him carved of
wood and lacquered at the time of his passing. It is a national treasure and
only on display one day a year in Miedo Hall to commemorate the anniversary of
his death on May 6. Ganjin’s tomb resides among the eastern woods surrounding
the Miedo Hall. After 1200 years it is still prayed to.
The lecture hall was originally part of the Imperial Palace
of Nara. It was donated to this temple. The Kondo or “Golden Hall” is the best
building representing Tempyo Era architecture remaining intact in Japan to this
day. Tōshōdaiji
Temple buildings and artifacts are designated as National Treasures and
Important Cultural Assets. The Temple is listed with World Heritage as a
Historic Monument of Ancient Nara.
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| Temple going under renovation during visit |
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| World Heritage Site |
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| Burial location for Gainjin |
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| Temple Bell |
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| Historic artifacts |
