Saidai-ji Temple
西大寺 · 나라시
Contents
5 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:40
Welcome to Saidai-ji, Nara’s 'Great Western Temple.' Founded in 765 AD by Empress Shōtoku, Saidai-ji was intended to be the western counterpart to the more famous Tōdai-ji (the Great Eastern Temple). While today it is 'smaller'…
Listen in the app2The Hondo — Home of the Living Buddha1:35
The Hondo, or Main Hall, is the architectural and spiritual center of Saidai-ji. Rebuilt in the late Edo period on the site of the original pagoda, it is a 'dignified and solemn' structure that houses the temple's primary image:…
Listen in the app3Eison Shōnin and the O-chamori Ceremony1:22
The legacy of Saidai-ji is inseparable from Eison Shōnin, the 13th-century 'reviver' of the temple. Eison was a 'monk of the Ritsu (precepts) school' who dedicated his life to 'promoting Buddhism' and 'saving the common people.'…
Listen in the app4The Four Heavenly Kings and Ancient Foundations1:32
One of the most 'authentic and impressive' parts of Saidai-ji is the Shitenno-do, the hall of the Four Heavenly Kings. While much of the temple was rebuilt in the Kamakura or Edo periods, the 'feet and pedestals' of these four…
Listen in the app5Closing1:16
As our tour of Saidai-ji concludes, I hope you have felt the 'quiet and authentic' power of Nara's Great Western Temple. We have stood before the 'Living Buddha' in the Hondo, learned about Eison Shōnin's mission of 'social…
Listen in the app
What is Saidai-ji Temple?
Saidai-ji Temple is a place in 나라시 with 5 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 나라시 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 5 |
| Total length | 7 min 25 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.6936, 135.7795 |
| Last updated |
