Shitennō-ji Temple
四天王寺 · Shitennōji
Built in 593 A.D., this famous Buddhist temple features a five-story pagoda, statues and turtle ponds
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation2:42
Welcome to Shitennō-ji, a site of profound historical and spiritual significance that stands as the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan to be founded by the state. Established in the year 593 AD by Prince Shōtoku, a pivotal figure in…
Listen in the app2The Ishi-no-Torii — Where Shinto Meets Buddha2:17
Our exploration begins at the Ishi-no-Torii, the massive stone gate located at the western entrance of the temple complex. This structure is highly unusual, as Torii gates are typically associated with Shinto shrines, not…
Listen in the app3Chumon (The Middle Gate) and the Nio Guardians2:19
As we proceed toward the inner precinct, we encounter the Chūmon, or Middle Gate, also known as the Niōmon. This structure houses a pair of Niō—muscular, fierce-looking guardian deities who protect the temple from evil spirits…
Listen in the app4Gojunoto — The Five-Story Pagoda2:32
Standing at the heart of the inner precinct is the Gojūnoto, the magnificent Five-Story Pagoda. This structure is the most iconic landmark of Shitennō-ji and a masterpiece of ancient engineering. …
Listen in the app5Kondo (The Main Hall) — The Sacred Inner Sanctum2:20
Directly behind the pagoda stands the Kondō, or the Main Hall. This is the spiritual focus of the entire complex, the place where the primary object of devotion is housed. …
Listen in the app6Kodo (The Lecture Hall) and the Ancient Corridors2:16
Continuing north along the temple’s central axis, we reach the Kōdō, or Lecture Hall. In the early days of Shitennō-ji, this was the center of intellectual and educational activity, where monks gathered to study the sutras and…
Listen in the app7Gokuraku-jodo Garden — The Pure Land on Earth2:17
Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the temple grounds is the Gokuraku-jōdo Garden, a hidden masterpiece of Japanese landscape design. The name translates to 'Garden of the Pure Land of Perfect Bliss,' and it is intended to…
Listen in the app8Closing1:37
As we conclude our journey through Shitennō-ji, we return to the great stone Torii, the point where we first entered this ancient world. We have walked through fourteen centuries of Japanese history, from the initial introduction…
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What is Shitennō-ji Temple?
Shitennō-ji Temple is a place in Shitennōji with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Shitennōji |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 18 min 20 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 34.6539, 135.5164 |
| Last updated |
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