HÅryÅ«-ji
The Hōryū -ji (Japanese法 隆 寺, dt "Temple of the Buddha's teaching " ) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ikaruga ( Ikoma district ) of the Japanese prefecture of Nara. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its grounds are the oldest surviving wooden building in the world and also many Japanese national treasures and cultural heritage.
- 3.2.1 Hall of Visions
- 3.2.2 Hall of the Buddhist teachings
- 3.2.3 Other Buildings
History
The history of Hōryū -ji begins in the Asuka period by about 600 AD, when the emperor fell ill Yomei took the vow to build a temple and a Buddha statue in gratitude for his recovery. But this vow he could not comply because he died shortly after he had recovered. His wish was fulfilled by his son, the Crown Prince Shōtoku, and the Empress Suiko, who built the temple and the statue in 607. The temple was Hōryū -ji or Ikaruga -ji - after its location on the site of the old Ikaruga Palace - called. Soon after, in 670, a fire raged on the temple grounds, of which the Nihonshoki reported that it had " not a single building " spared. This fact is, however, judged by historians as very doubtful, as it can be demonstrated that the temple a heydays great tradition adherence experienced after its establishment over 400 years.
World Heritage
In December 1993, the entire temple area was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and declared a National Monument. In the grounds of the UNESCO Committee for Cultural Heritage of Humanity, there are the arguments that are located on the grounds of the oldest surviving wooden building in the world; also be read on the architecture of the building, as the Chinese architectural style with the advance of Buddhism from China slowly architecture in Japan influenced the construction of the temple in the 7th century.
Site
The temple area is divided into three parts:
- Saiin Garan (西 院 伽蓝), the Western District
- Toin Garan (东 院 伽蓝), the Eastern District and the
- Daihōzōin (大 宝 蔵 院), the Gallery of Temple Treasures
Western District
The Western District (西 院 伽蓝, Saiin guarantee ) is entered, the dates from the 14th century through the southern main gate ( Nandaimon南 大门, ). This is the main entrance to the temple. It follows a path which is bounded laterally by walls and on the middle gate (中 门, chūmon ) feeds. Through this gate to get to the cloister (回廊, Cairo ), which encloses the other buildings.
Main hall
The main hall (金堂, Kondo, literally " Golden Hall ") was in the Asuka period ( mid- 6th to early 8th century ) was built. Here are the central sanctuaries, where the temple is dedicated, among other things, Shakyamuni Triad, which was created by the famous sculptor Tori and represents the historical Buddha and his companions Monju Bosatsu and Fugen Bosatsu. This triad is flanked by two other statues: the west by a bronze statue from the Kamakura period, representing a seated Amitabha Nyorai (Buddha of the Pure Land ); and on the east by a seated Yakushi Nyorai (Buddha of Healing). These statues are ( until the beginning of the 8th century, late 7th ) protected by a group of four celestial guardians of the Hakuho - time, which is the oldest group of its kind in Japan. The Guardian (四 天王, Shitenno ) are carved from camphor wood and standing on defeated evil spirits.
Five storied pagoda
This pagoda ( Tō ) was also built in the Asuka period and has a height of 31.5 meters. It is the central sanctuary of the temple and is the oldest five -story pagoda in Japan. On the ground floor terracotta statues from the Nara period are exhibited.
Large ( lecture ) Hall
The hall dates back to the Heian period (late 8th to the late 12th century ) and was originally the monks to study and holding of commemorations. The hall was hit by lightning and 925 burned down. The present hall was rebuilt in 990.
Inner Sanctum
The interior sanctuary (神 の 御堂, kami no MIDO ) to have been built as early as the 8th century, however, historians could prove that it was built only in the Kamakura period in the 12th and 14th centuries. Inside is another Shakyamuni Triad from the Heian period, which is guarded by four guards from the Muromachi period.
Western Round Hall
According to tradition, in reality octagonal hall was (西 円 堂, saiendō ) of Gyoki Bosatsu built in the 8th century. Research has shown, however, that the present building was built in the Kamakura period. It houses a seated dry lacquer statue of Yakushi Nyorai. This figure from the Nara period is the oldest of its kind in Japan.
Other buildings
Furthermore, in the Western District, two other buildings include:
- The bell house (钟楼, shoro ) and
- The hall of Prince Shotoku's soul ( shōryōin ), formerly served the monks as a guest. Inside is a statue of Prince Shōtoku.
Eastern District
If you turn to before the Middle Gate and the cloister to the east and follow the path, you come to the Eastern front gate (东 大门, tōdaimon ). This is the entrance to the Eastern District (东 院 伽蓝, Toin guaranteed ) dar. It was built slightly later than the Western District, namely only in the 8th century and stands on the former site Ikaruga Palace, however, was only an independent temple with the name Jōgūōin ( Jōgūō Temple, Jōgūō is another name for Prince Shōtoku ).
Hall of Visions
This hall as a dream or vision of the Hall (梦 殿yume, dono ) known octagonal pavilion was built in memory of Prince Shōtoku and is the heart of the Eastern District. Here is a life-size statue of Prince Shōtoku is preserved, the so-called Kuse Kannon from the Asuka period. It is located in a shrine and is, therefore, to this day, in perfect condition. Even the original gilding has been preserved. The statue is surrounded by other statues, such as from a statue that represents the builders of the Western District.
The Hall of visions is surrounded by a gallery.
Hall of the Buddhist teachings
Previously, this hall was (电报 堂, denpōdō ) the residence of Tachibana no Konakachi, the wife of Emperor Shōmus. But when the Eastern District was built, it was converted into a Buddhist hall. For a copy of an old Japanese residential architecture has been preserved.
Other buildings
The Eastern District has continued to
- The Eastern Glockenhaus (东 院 钟楼, Toin shoro )
- The so-called reliquary hall (舎 利 殿, shariden ), where the relics of the Buddha are kept, which sprang from the two-year prince from the palms, as he put his hands together in prayer, and
- The Hall of Paintings (绘 殿, eden )
The Gallery of Temple Treasures
The buildings in the open space between the Eastern and the Western District belong to the Gallery of Temple Treasures (大 宝 蔵 院, daihōzōin ). The newest building here is the Hall of Kudara Kannon (百 済 観 音 堂, Kudara Kannon dō ), which was only built in the modern era and completed in 1998. In this hall, another important Japanese cultural treasures are exhibited. So here among other things, the most famous Buddhist Japanese statue of Kannon Kudara (where Kudara usually referred to the alliance with Japan Korean Baekje Kingdom ) or Avalokitesvara is issued. Dating back to the Asuka period and is famous for its beauty. In the halls of the gallery also more artifacts are kept, tell the 1400 year old history of Buddhism in Hōryū -ji.