| |  | Todai-ji was founded by Emperor Shomu in 745 to protect against the horrible epidemics which were commonplace at that time, and to consolidate the power of the Imperial throne. The temple took more than 15 years to build. The main hall is still the worlds largest wooden building, even though it was rebuilt in 1790 at only two-thirds of the original size.
| |
|
| |
| History |  |
 |
Le T?dai-ji tire son origine du Kinsh?-ji, temple fond? en 728 pour le repos de l'?me du Prince imp?rial Motoi, fils de l'Empereur Sh?mu (r?gne : 724-749).
Le Kinsh?-ji sera promu ? un rang ?lev? en 741, ? la suite d'un ?dit imp?rial instituant dans chaque province - selon le syst?me dit des "Kokubun-ji" - deux monast?res, l'un d'hommes, l'autre de femmes. Une nouvel ?dit ordonnera, en 743, la construction d'une statue gigantesque du Bouddha Vairocana. Les travaux, commenc?s dans l'enceinte du Kinsh?-ji en 745, seront achev?s en 749. On construira dans le m?me temps le pavillon du Daibutsu-den pour abriter cette statue, qui sera consacr?e en 752 d'une imposante c?r?monie. Le Bureau de Construction du T?dai-ji entreprendra ensuite les travaux des Pagodes Est et Ouest, de la Salle de Pr?dication, des logements des moines, donnant ainsi ? l'ensemble du monast?re sa configuration d?finitive.
Plac? au sommet de la hi?rarchie des Kokubun-ji, le T?dai-ji sera un lieu de pri?res pour la paix du pays et la prosp?rit? du peuple. Vou? ?galement ? l'?tude de la doctrine bouddhique et ? la formation de moines ?rudits, il deviendra ? ce titre un centre de recherches sur les six sectes du bouddhisme japonais (Kegon, notamment) auxquelles s'ajouteront, ? l'?poque de Heian, le Tendai et le Shingon.
Un violent tremblement de terre, en 855, fera tomber la t?te du Grand Bouddha, qui sera remise en place et restaur?e. La Salle de Pr?dication, les logements des moines et la Pagode Ouest seront d?truits par la foudre et des incendies, de m?me que le Nandai-mon (Grande Porte Sud) et le Campanile.
La majeure partie du monast?re, y compris le Daibutsu-den, sera incendi? en 1180, lors d'une attaque effectu?e contre les temples de Nara par Taira no Shigehira. La reconstruction sera entreprise l'ann?e suivante par le moine Ch?gen (1121-1206). La c?r?monie de cons?cration du Grand Bouddha sera organis?e en 1185. La province de Su? (actuel d?partement de Yamaguchi) sera d?sign?e l'ann?e suivante pour financer les travaux de l'ensemble du temple, qui d?s lors progresseront r?guli?rement.
Le nouveau Daibutsu-den sera inaugur? en 1195. Les ?tudes bouddhiques seront alors de nouveau enseign?es. Le temple formera de nombreux moines ?rudits durant l'?poque de Kamakura (1185-1333).
Le T?dai-ji sera de nouveau r?duit en cendres en 1567, lors d'un affrontement entre les clans Miyoshi et Matsunaga, ? l'exception du Nigatsu-d?, du Hokke-d?, du Nandai-mon, du Tegai-mon, du Sh?s?-in ("Magasin Officiel") et du Campanile.
La reconstruction du temple sera retard?e par la guerre civile. On se contentera de recouvrir la t?te du Grand Bouddha de plaques de cuivre. La restauration ne sera vraiment entreprise qu'? l'?poque d'Edo, ? l'initiative du moine K?kei (1648-1705) qui, par le biais du shogounat d'Edo, obtiendra l'appui des fiefs de province et des puissants da?my?. L'actuelle statue du Grand Bouddha sera consacr?e en 1692, et le Daibutsu-den inaugur? en 1709.
L'existence du T?dai-ji sera menac?e apr?s la Restauration de Meiji, en 1868, par les ?dits proclamant la s?paration du shint? et du bouddhisme, ainsi que la confiscation des terrains appartenant aux temples.
Le Daibutsu-den fera cependant l'objet d'importantes r?fections au d?but du si?cle et dans les ann?es 1970. Des moyens et financements importants seront mobilis?s pour la conservation des autres b?timents. Le T?dai-ji, qui rec?le un grand nombre de tr?sors culturels t?moignant de la richesse de son pass?, est aussi un v?ritable reliquaire de rites bouddhiques traditionnels, tel celui du Shuni-e au Nigatsu-d?. Il attire de nombreux visiteurs japonais et ?trangers. | | Description | |
|
The main entrance to the temple is inside the Nandaimon, or Great Southern Gate. The Nandaimon was rebuilt in the 13th Century and features two guardian Kings (Nio), each more than 8 meters tall. Once you go through the gate, the sweeping horned roof of the Daibutsuden comes into view. The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), houses the largest bronze statue in Japan. The 15 meter tall, blackened figure sitting on a lotus throne depicts Rushana, later known as Dainichi Nyorai(The Cosmic Buddha). This statue is commonly know as the "Great Buddah of Nara" and is perhaps the city's most famous attraction. The completion of the statue was an extraordinary achievement. After several attempts at casting the statue failed, it was finally dedicated in 752. The Emperor Shomu, his wife the Empress Komyo, and the reigning Empress Kogen all gathered to dedicate the statue by "opening his eyes". An Indian priest stood on a specially built platform and painted in the eyes, using a gigantic brush. From the end of this brush were hung colored strings which ran down to the VIP's below, enabling them to take part in the ceremony as well. Also in attendance were local monks, numbering in the hundreds, as well as ambassadors from China, India, and more distant places. The guests brought a dazzling assortment of gifts. Many of them have been preserved in the Shoso-in treasury, along with the original paint brush.
The Todai-ji Buddha has not had an easy go of it over the years. In the ninth century, an earthquake knocked over his head. Then on two separate occasions, first in 1180, and again in 1567, his right hand was melted in a fire. Each time, the statue was repaired, but, as a result of these disasters, little remains of the original figure. However, the Great Buddah is stilll impressive for its sheer size and for the technological victory at the time of its original construction. As you walk around the hall, don't be shocked to see people attempting to squeeze through a hole in one of the rear support pillars. The Japanese believe that if one is successful in squeezing through, they are guaranteed a place in Heaven. As you leave the Daibutsuden, take a minute to look at the Octagonal Lantern at the bottom of the steps. It is one of the oldest treasures in the temple dating from the founding of Todaiji. The lantern is supported by a post enscribed with an excerpt from a Buddhist text discussing the merits of lighting lanterns.
Located to the west of the Daibutsuden section is the Kaidanin. The Chinese high preist, Ganjin, established the Kaidanin in 754 as Japan's first and principle ordination hall. The hall was rebuilt in the Edo Period and includes stautes of 8th Century representations of the Four Heavenly Kings. These small clay figures are beautifully carved. They each stand on a different fiendish beast, while protecting a small buddha in a wooden pagoda. Behind the Daibutsuden is the Shoso-in which, at first glance, looks like a log cabin on stilts. It was constructed in the 8th century to store the treasures of Todai-ji. For whatever reason, the building has preserved them in perfect condition. Now the treasures of Todai-ji are kept in a specially designed concrete storehouse. | | Site's content | |
Anonyme | | | More pictures | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
See the tabloid
