Tōshō-ji

Tōshō-ji (唐招提寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Ritsu sect in Nara, Japan. Founded in 759 by the Chinese priest Ganjin (鑑真, known in Chinese as Jianzhen), it is renowned for its architecture, particularly the Kondo (main hall) and the Kodo (lecture hall), both of which are excellent examples of Nara period (710-794) architecture.

Ganjin, despite being blind, persevered through numerous attempts to cross the sea from China to Japan to help establish proper Buddhist ordination procedures. He finally arrived in Japan in 754. Emperor Shomu, who had requested his presence, had already passed away, but Ganjin was received warmly by the court. He established Tōshō-ji in 759 as a center for Ritsu Buddhism, emphasizing monastic discipline and adherence to Buddhist precepts.

The temple complex includes several important structures, including:

• Kondo (Main Hall): The largest and most important building, housing statues of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha), the Thousand-Armed Kannon, and Jizo Bosatsu.

• Kodo (Lecture Hall): Originally a part of the Heijo Palace, it was moved to Tōshō-ji and converted into a lecture hall.

• Kaizando (Founder's Hall): Dedicated to Ganjin, containing a famous portrait sculpture of the priest.

• Gojū-no-tō (Five-Storied Pagoda): Rebuilt in 1939, showcasing traditional Japanese pagoda architecture.

Tōshō-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara." It remains an active temple and a significant site for the study and practice of Ritsu Buddhism. The temple offers a glimpse into the early development of Buddhism in Japan and the cultural exchange between China and Japan during the Nara period.