Day 5 in Nara: Deer Park - TODAIJI TEMPLE - Yoshikien Garden - Kofukuji Temple - Naramachi street

After the deer escapade, we (accompanied by Snowwhite and Red Rose) proceeded to our first temple for Day 5 - the Todai-ji temple, a massive structure in wood, ranking as the highest wooden structure in the world - only to be surrounded by some more deers here. The Todai-ji temple is one of the most flocked temples in the town, no wonder then it's also popular hangout place for the deers.

Way to the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
Deers on the way upto the Todai-ji Temple

The main Nandaimon wooden gate took us to the temple site, at the center of which stood the main temple built entirely out of wood... centuries old and housing one of the largest images of Buddha in Japan (the second largest being the Giant Buddha of Kamakura). The surroundings were peaceful with the lush scenery of Nara park all around and the temple standing right at the center looked beautiful from every angle that I saw.


The world's largest wooden structure - Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
The Todaiji Temple from a distance

We stood there, right in front of the temple admiring it's grand scale and glory. The temple undoubtedly was huge and remarkable, but it was the peace permeated in the quarters that overwhelmed me more.

Meanwhile, snowwhite drew our attention to two unique protruding structures at the top of the temple and asked –
Can you guess what they symbolize?

The worlds largest wooden structure - Todaiji Temple in Nara

Looks like the tip of a shoe, I said rather sheepishly.

Now what could a shoe be doing at the top of a temple? Ha, talk of creative minds! Of course, I was wrong! History has seen fire destroy the edifice twice which is why the authorities decided to build these water symbolic structures on the top of the temple as a protecting force against fire. When we further learnt that this temple today was a mere scaled down version of the original one which was 1.5 times bigger, the grandiosity of the original structure was surely hard to imagine.

Four columns of marble flooring led us to the main temple hall, all of them laid in such a manner so as to depict the journey of Buddhism from India to Japan via China and Korea. As we approached the hall, we paused again; this time for taking in a bit of the sacred vapors from the incense bowl. This would protect us from all diseases and keep evils at bay.

The sacred incense at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
Blow some vapors onto yourself

In the hall, the bronze image of the Great Buddha was striking – big, life-like and bulky. Around the 8th century, Japan had gone through a lot of troubles and difficulties. It was at this time that Emperor Shomu had decided to enshrine the Great Image of Buddha (Daibutsu) to restore the lost peace and happiness of the country. Through centuries, times came to become better but the image continues to do it's work -- infuse life, hope and peace in it’s enthusiasts till date.

The Great image of Buddha or Daibutsu at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
15 mtrs tall Buddha in the sitting position

Snowwhite took time out pointing out the various aspects of the statue in detail. There was a lot to learn about the history of the statue and it's built, how His face was more radiating than the rest of His body and how His webbed hands gave out a blessing for one and all. There was a lot of peace to be found in His gaze, a lot of solace while standing at His feet. His serene face, the lotus flowers around Him, the glow emanating from the candles further enhanced His message of leading a pure life.

Candles burning at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
Peace

Besides the image, the temple also had a bell to announce your arrival in His house and quite a few Buddhist statues and other historic sculpts preserved over the years.

The gong and the bell at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
The Bell in the temple

Antique Buddhist images at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
Other Buddhist images in the temple room

The highlight of the hall, however was a partially hollow wooden pillar believed to be the size of the Daibutsu's nostril. It is said that those who who can pass through attain deliverance in their next life.

Why don’t you give it a try, Arti? We think you can make it.

After some kind motivations from my blogger friends, I pushed myself through the wooden hole but gave it up soon after, after getting stuck mid way. A bit more prodding from Snowwhite and redrose and I was down, trying again. Just that this time, I was a lot more determined!

The Buddha nostril, the gate to salvation at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
The hollow wooden pillar in the temple - Buddha's Nostril

I twisted my body this way and curled up that way until finally I realized that I had successfully passed through the door. Boy, if I wasn’t delighted! I had a fair enough reason too. Thanks to my Nara friends, albeit with a little difficulty, I had opened my door to Nirvana!

As we circumambulated the temple hall, I heard more and more stories from their folklore and realized that there was a lot of wisdom, a lot of knowledge veiled within the temple corridors... not only historical but the other worldly as well.

A bit of India at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan

I realized... that this place had it all - beginnings, belongings and also... the eternal gates to salvation.

Before heading further, we made a quick stop at Binzuru Sonja - the healing Buddha; one of the original disciples of Buddha.
The healing buddha at the Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japan
It is said that if you place your hand on that part of His body
that corresponds to your ailing part and then place it on yours, your ailment will disappear.

We could barely reach out till his legs, but even then we all made sure we did not miss out on touching this one!

Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -

1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.