Japan May 2001: Nara, Yakushiji Temple

Nara: Yakushiji Temple

Yakushiji Temple is one of the seven large temples in Nara (Todaiji, Dainji, Yakushiji, Saidaiji, Gangoji, Horyuji, and Kofukuji), and the head temple of the Hosso Sect, the oldest Buddhist sect in Japan.

Yakushiji Temple Slideshow

Yakushiji Temple was erected late in the 7th century (A.D.680) was planned by EmporerTemmu to pray for the recovery of his Empress from a serious illness. Ironically, the Emporer, himself, died before the temple could be completed. After his death, the Empress ascended to the throne and was called Jito. In fact the actual construction was taken on under her reign, and the dedication ceremony for enshrining the chief Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, was held in A.D.697. The whole compund was completed in A.D.698.

Yakushiji was burnt down and destroyed by fires, wars, or natural disasters several times, and the largest damage was caused by the civil war in 1528. Today only the Yakushi-Triad in the Kondo, the Sho-Kannon in the Toindo, and the East Pagoda recall the grandeur of its original features.

One of the most striking structures at Yakushiji is the East Pagoda. By the way, did you know that "Pagoda" means a grave in Pali, the ancient Indian language, and it is call "stupa" in Sanskrit. Pagoda is naturally different from a tower, for it is the grave of Buddha. The East Pagoda, after miraculously surviving the fire that destroyed the temple grounds in during the 1528 civil war, is the only architectural structure from the Hakuho Period in Japan.

This three-stored pagoda looks like it has 6 stories. The is because of the Mokoshi (lean-to) added to each story and is described as "Frozen Music" because of its rhythmically fine appearrance. The original meaning or form of the grave of Buhhda has been given to the Sorin part of the pagoda.

Links of interest:

Nara Route: Yakushiji Temple
Historical Highway of Nara: Yakushiji Temple
Far East Kingdoms: Japan

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