Day 183 May 11th 2007, Japans Largest Buddha - Nara

In a complete contrast to yesterday the sun was shining with not a cloud in the sky as we headed towards the historic side of Nara. The city is a treasure trove of Ancient Japan with 8 designated World heritage sites. Nara park is home to some 1,200 wild silka deer, these deer have free roam of the city and are classed as a national treasure. They behave like they own the place. OK feeding wild animals usually makes them aggressive so what did I expect when I brought some "special deer rice cakes" to feed them, I certainly didn't expect them to try and eat our map.


Along side the deer there also appeared to be every school kid in Japan visiting the park, all very keen to know if we spoke English, what our names were and where we were from, before asking us to sign their book.
w is part of Kofukuji temple.


One of the big sites in Nara is the largest Buddha in Japan, housed in the Todai-ji temple, the south gate in the photos below is another national treasure, a lot better behaved than the deer variety. This is apparently the largest wooden building in the world but I have heard that at least once before at other temples in Japan.


Inside the gates are two great Nio guardians, according to Japanese tradition two of these guardians travel with Buddha to protect him. The wood work is incredible, from the photo and from a distance they look like a painting but they are actually solid wood figures.


Below is the entrance to Todai-ji some 2.6 million people were involved in the construction of the temple and its giant Buddha. Started in 743 and completed in 751 it sounds like there were some project managers over specifying the man power requirements.


Inside the temple is the largest Buddha in Japan weighing in at 500 metric tonnes with a height of 14.98 meters. Check out the guy on front of the Buddha to get a better idea of the scale.


One of the supporting posts in the Great Buddha Hall has a hole that has been cut through the base. Visitors try to pass through the hole which is said to be the same size as one of the Buddhas nostrils. legend has it that those who pass through it will be blessed with enlightenment in their next life.

Children usually have no trouble getting through but adults sometimes get stuck and need to be pulled out. Despite all the rice and raw fish I have been eating lately I thought better of it and left it to the kids, after all I didn't want to be stuck here with an endless procession of school kids asking if I spoke English, what my name was and where I was from ;-)

Close to Todai-ji are the stunning Isuien Gardens pictured below.

On the far Eastern side of Nara Park is the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, one of the 8 World Heritage sites. Originally built in the 8th century the shrine was taken apart and rebuilt every 20 years in accordance with Shinto tradition until the end of the 19th century. In the photos below you can see the entrance, followed by a collection of Sake barrels left as an offering at the shrine. In the last picture is another one of the gates to the shrine. Have you seen enough photos of temples and shrines yet ?




Highlights: Nara Park and everything in it