Saidai-ji
| Saidai-ji 西大寺 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shingon Ritsu |
| Deity | Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni) (Important Cultural Property) |
| Status | Head Temple |
| Location | |
| Location | 1-1-5 Saidaiji Shibachō, Nara, Nara Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°41′37″N 135°46′46.2″E / 34.69361°N 135.779500°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Jōtō and Empress Kōken |
| Completed | 765 |
| Website | |
| http://saidaiji.or.jp/ | |
Saidai-ji (西大寺) or the "Great Western Temple" is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple was established in AD 765 as a counterpart to Tōdai-ji and it is the main temple of the Shingon Risshu (真言律宗) sect of Buddhism after the sect's founder, Eison (叡尊), took over administration in 1238.[1]
One building, the Aizen-dō, houses a statue of Aizen Myō-ō, while the main image is of Shakyamuni Buddha, erected by Eison in 1249.[1]
Saidai-ji stands close to Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line.
Building list
- Main Hall (Hondō - 本堂) - Important Cultural Property. It was rebuilt in 1808.
- Shiō-dō (四王堂) - It was rebuilt in 1674.
- Aizen-dō (愛染堂) - It was reconstructed in 1762.
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Shiō-dō -
Aizen-dō -
Manjushri Bodhisattva (Monju Bosatsu)
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See also
- Nanto Shichi Daiji, Seven Great Temples of Nanto.
- Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Yamato
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
- List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)
- List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)
External links
- "Saidai-ji Temple Homepage" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2010-02-05.
References
- ^ a b Watt, Paul B. (March 8, 1999). "Chapter 7: Eison and the Shingon Vinaya Sect". In Tanabe, George (ed.). Religions of Japan in Practice. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-05789-3.
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