#kofuku-ji temple

[yama-bato]

Head of Yakushi

Kofuku-ji Temple Nara, Japan

"Dated to 685, this cast copper alloy head formerly belonged to a sculpture of the Buddha Master of Medicine (Jp. Yakushi Nyorai) that was originally enshrined at Yamadadera Temple in Asuka, a town about 20 kilometers south of the city of Nara, and the capital of Japan at the time of the image’s construction."( via )

2. via

[mothmiso]

Sumida-ku / 墨田区 (2) (3) (4) by KMrT

Via Flickr:

(1) Sumidagawa Shrine. (2) Chozusha. Mimeguri Shrine. (3) (4) Kofuku-zen-ji Temple gate.     

[sifu-kisu]

From a bad translation, Russian to English. Unedited because I’m too lazy.😁🤷🏽

SOHEI - BUDDHIST WARRIORS OF ANCIENT JAPAN

Sohei ( дат Sohei, literally "monk-soldier") - Buddhist warrior monks of feudal Japan. At certain points in history, they had considerable power, thus forcing imperial and military governments to cooperate.

They were similar to the mountain ascetes of yamabushi, but unlike the yamabushi hermits, the soheis were usually organized into large armies or units. Most famous is their Enryaku-ji Monastery on Mount Heei, not far from Kyoto.

Many common traits the Soheis had with warrior monks from Germany or other religious orders (for example, such as participating in a crusade; the Soheis did not operate as individuals or even as members of individual temples, but rather as warriors of the Great Brotherhood or monastic order).

Warrior monks first “claimed themselves” in the late 10th century, in the Heian era, during fierce political disputes between Buddhist temples and sects over receiving various titles from the emperor. The main confrontation took place in the area of Kyoto and Nara cities, in Japan's 4 largest temples - Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, Mii-dera and Enryaku-ji.

The first armed encounter occurred in 949. , when 56 monks from Todai-ji came out to the Imperial Palace in Kyoto to protest against their inconvenient assignment. These kinds of performances lasted throughout the 10th century and often ended in a murder.

Since 981 Clashes began between the 2 main temples of the Tendai Buddhist sect - Enryaku-ji and Mii-dera. Armed clashes between these temples lasted with breaks throughout the 11th century and early XII. Along with the armies, violence has also increased. Sometimes it even came to the burning of an unfriendly residence. Other temples were also gradually involved in conflicts, joining forces with yesterday's enemies to confront other temples.

A prolonged civil war began in Japan at the end of the 12th century. Temples distracted themselves from constant windows, observing events happening in the country. Hostile houses of Minamoto and Tyra tried to persuade warrior monks of Kyoto and Nara to replenish their samurai armies. The Sohei claimed themselves in 1180, when the Mi-dera monks along with the samurai of the Minamoto house tried to protect the bridge across the Uji River from the invasion of Tyra troops. During this battle, known as the Battle of Uji, the monks disassembled the pillars of the bridge so that the horse samurai could not cross the river.

After the Gampay war, many monasteries began to reform. Their political power grew generally in peaceful ways, and the Soheis almost did not participate in the battles of the 13th-XIV centuries. During the wars of the Nambokuteo-era, Mount Hyei gave refuge to the rebellious Emperor Go-Daigo. With his son and soheis, he tried to gather forces for a short-term rebellion against the Kamakura shogunate. After this, another military government, the Asikaga shogunate, came to power, bringing an end to the restoration of Kammu. The new shogunate supported the Zen sect more than others, and therefore attracted the wrath of warrior monks. From 1340 to 1360, many clashes occurred between the temples of the Zen and Tendai sect.

The Onin War, which began in 1467, dragged on more than a century-old civil war in Japan and forced warrior monks to reform again. In contrast to the turmoil of the Jekyu years and the invasion of the Mongols in the XIII century, the main theater of the Onin war became Kyoto, and therefore the Sohei could not stay away. In addition, new sects of warrior monks appeared in the country. While monks from Mount Hiyei were adherents of the Tendai doctrine, the newly-baked monks, who were given the collectively name ikko-ikki, followed the rules of the jodel-sinsu (True School of the Pure Earth). This practice was followed, among others, by many fundamentalist priests, peasants and houses, who were ready to fight for their beliefs. In 1488, their leader, named Rennyo, raised a rebellion against the power of the samurai, and warrior monks seized the province of Kaga. From this direction they began to expand, capturing the temple of Isiyama Hongan-ji in Nagashima (sovr. Mie Prefecture). A little later, part of the land in Mikawa province (part of the sovr.) came under their control. p. Haiti). Their power and influence drew the attention of some of the mightiest princes of the warring provinces, Oda Nobunagi and Togukawa Ieyasu. They considered the warrior monks as the enemies of the samurai laws and a threat to their power. Yeyasu attacked the monks of Mikawa in 1564, but failing to defeat them in battle, he returned later with the monks of his friendly Jedo-syu school, winning and taking almost all of the possessions from the losers.

While the power of Oda Nobunagi was strengthening and expanding in the late 1560s, the Enryaku-ji monks were gaining military strength and clashes were resumed on the streets of Kyoto, now with the new Nitiren Buddhist sect. After defeating the enemy, they began to look for allies among the dimes. To their misfortune, they contacted the houses of Asai and Asakura who were sworn enemies of Nobunag. 29 September 1571 The 30 thousand Oda army stormed Mount Hyei and burned down the Enryakudzi Monastery. Although the temple itself will be restored later, there were no more warrior monks in it.

Then Oda Nobunaga fought the ikko-ikki in their forts of Nagasima and Isiyama Hongan-ji. In the summer of 1574, with the help of the old pirate Kuki Yoshitaki, Nobunaga blocked their forts and began to starve the monks. 20 thousand people were burned along with their homes. Two years later, Nobunaga returned to Isiamu Hongan-ji, a temple he failed to conquer last time. In two maritime battles under Kidzugawaguti Nobunaga, the house of Mori, whose fleet was still considered to be the strongest in the region. Finally, the Soheis were forced to surrender in 1580.

Between 1580 and 1590, not only warrior monks, but all of Japan was divided into two camps: supporters of Toyotomi Hideyoshi or his opponent in the struggle for power - Tokugawa Ieyasu. When was the last one in 1603 finally will gain full power over the whole country, the Sohei era will end forever.

The Soheis had quite a variety of weaponry. Although most commonly associated with naginata, warrior monks also often used bows, tanto (daggers) and wakidashi (short swords).

The Soheis, like other Buddhist monks, wore kimono-like clothes, usually white at the bottom and beige at the top. They wore traditional Japanese sandals on their feet (this one, Varaji, etc.) ). The head was covered with white scarves or a hatimaki bandage.

The attire of the Ikko-ikki monks was a little more diverse due to their peasant origins, ranging from simple rural attire to various types of bras and helmets. In addition to the aforementioned armament, the icco-icca monks had a small number of arkebuses.

[mandbtravels]

Day 11 (part one) - Nara

We got a 45 minute train from Kyoto to Nara, from the station the first of the three temples was only a 5 minute walk away, Kofuku-ji. A red temple with historic Buddha statues inside.

The next temple was a 25 minute walk, but it just so happened to pass the deer park, there were multiple stands selling the deer crackers for ¥200 for 8 crackers. The deer in this park were a little spoilt and greedy and if you didn’t feed them quick enough they bit you and pulled at your bag and clothes.

Tōda-ji temple is the biggest wooden structure in the world, today it is only 1/3 of the size it used to be as it was destroyed twice through fires. The building is 57 meters long, 50 meters wide and 47 meters tall. It also houses a 15 meter tall Buddha which is the largest bronze statue in Japan.

Then off to the third temple Kasuga Taisha, on both paths leading to the temple there are 2000 stone lanterns lining the path. Then once inside there are over 1000 bronze lanterns hanging from the beams.

From here we headed back to the station, not without feeding some more deer. This time around we learnt our lessons and tried to feed individual deer, it was a much nicer experience and most of them wanted a little scratch behind the ear too! The not so spoilt ones are so lovely, calm and tame and seemed happy to see us!

[lierrelearns]

春日東西両塔跡 春日塔跡は春日大社の一の鳥居を入った参道の左側 (現在の奈良国立博物館構内) に、東西に並ぶ2基の塔跡である。神仏習合思想にもとづいて神社にも仏教の塔を建立した代表的遺構であり、両塔のありし日の偉容は多くの春日宮曼荼羅に描かれている。 西塔(現在地より西へ約90m)永久4年(1116)に関白藤原忠実により造営され、東塔(現在地)は鳥羽上皇の本願により保延6年(1140)に建立された。そのため西塔は"殿下の御塔"、東塔は"院の御塔"と称されていた。ところが治承4年(1180)に平重衡の南部焼打にあって焼失し、相次いで再建されたものの、応永18年(1411)の雷火にあって再び焼失した。その後は再建されることなく今日におよんでいる。 両塔は、1965年(昭和40)の発掘調査によって規模や構造が明確になった。その規模は興福寺五重塔とほぼ同じであり、高さ約50m、初層の一辺長約8.6mで、東塔の初層には裳階がつけられていた。また塔の南正面には複廊を築いて数門を設け、東、西、北の三方には一辺約100mの築地をめぐらしていた。 奈良国立博物館

東塔跡　(東より　1965年発掘時) 西塔跡　(西より　1965年発掘時)

現在地 東塔 西塔

春日宮曼荼羅　部分　(奈良市南市町自治会蔵　鎌倉時代　重要文化財)

Vocab 春日 （かすが）Kasuga 東西 （とうざい）east and west 塔跡 （とうあと）ruins of a tower 春日大社 （かすがたいしゃ）Kasuga-taisha 参道 （さんどう）road approaching a shrine 構内 （こうない）premises, grounds 神仏習合 （しんぶつしゅうごう）Shinto-Buddhist syncretism 建立 （こんりゅう）(act of) building (temple, monument, etc.) 遺構 （いこう）(archaeological) remains ありし日 （ありしひ）the olden days, days of yore 偉容 （いよう）dignified/majestic/imposing appearance 宮曼荼羅 （みやまんだら）shrine mandala 永久 （えいきゅう）Eikyuu era (7.13.1113-4.3.1118) 関白 （かんぱく）chief advisor to the Emperor 藤原忠通 （ふじわらの・ただざね）Fujiwara no Tadazane 造営 （ぞうえい）building (a temple, palace, etc.) 鳥羽天皇 （とば）Emperor Toba （じょうこう）retired emperor 本願 （ほんがん）Amida Buddha’s original vow/Primal Vow 保延 （ほうえん）Hoen era (4.27.1135-7.10.1141) 殿下の御塔 （てんかのみとう）Tenka no mitou 称す （しょうす）to take the name of 治承 （じしょう）Jisho era (8.4.1177-7.14.1181) 平重衡 （たいらの・しげひら）Taira no Shigehira 南部 （なんぶ）southern part; the south (of a region) 焼打 （やきうち）setting on fire 焼失 （しょうしつ）destruction by fire 相次いで （あいついで）one after the other, successively ものの although, despite the fact 応永 （おうえい）Oei era (7.5.1394-4.27.1428) 雷火 （らいか）fire caused by lightning 及ぶ （およぶ）to befall, to happen to, to go on (for, until) 発掘調査 （はっくつちょうさ）excavation, dig 規模 （きぼ）scale, scope, plan, structure 興福寺 （こうふくじ）Kofuku-ji 一辺 （いっぺん）side of a geometic shape 裳階 （もこし）pent roof (below the true roof of a pagoda, etc.) 複 （ふく）multiple 廊 （ろう）corridor, passage, hall 築く （きずく）to build, construct 設ける （もうける）to set up, establish 築地 （ついじ）mud wall with a roof 巡らす （めぐらす）to enclose (with), surround (with) 自治会 （じちかい）neighborhood council 蔵 （ぞう）possession, ownership

[shamangus]

A Spring Night's Dream

Summary: Kiku watches as Taira Clan crashes and burns

The morning that Japan met Tadamori, the first Taira to enter the imperial court, he was awoken by bells.

Tadamori was chaotic and ambitious and was the first samurai to serve the Emperor. Tadamori helps deal with pirates, but there is not much more Japan can say about him.

Tadamori dies, and his son Kiyomori is much more successful than his father. He helps the Emperor put down rebellions, and soon, the Taira family is everywhere; they occupy almost every government position.

Kiyomori is even more prideful and arrogant than his father, parading around like he owns the place, and Japan comes to hate him. Just not enough to kill him.

However, some people hate him that much, even the former Emperor. They start a plot to overthrow him, but Kiku truthfully doesn't care enough to stop them.

Then, a fire turns the palace into cinders, and suddenly, Kiku has more significant problems.

Taira No Kiyomori eventually finds out about the plot, and he has the monk executed and the rest of them exiled to some island. Kiku hears that a piece of a stupa they made reached the shore; Kiku feels terrible for them.

Kiku doesn't feel bad for them for long. Kiyomori's daughter falls sick while pregnant, and everybody blames it on the angry spirits of the people he executed and exiled. Kiyomori's son is allowed to come home, but Kiku is pretty sure one of them was left on the island.

The imperial prince is born and is as annoying as all babies can be. A whirlwind strikes the capital, which only serves as an omen for future bad things.

Shigemori, the only Taira that Kiku could bear to hang around with, dies of an illness; on his deathbed, he confesses to Kiku that he asked the gods for a quick death if the Taira Clan is to fall.

Without Shigemori's restraining influence, Kiyomori is on the brink of war, and Kiku prepares for more pain.

But in good news, Kiyomori's daughter gives birth to a son!

The Emperor is forced to retire, and a 2-year-old claims the throne. Indeed, the toddler holds no real power, and it's all his grandfather. Still, Kiku relaxes by entertaining him without thinking too hard about what will eventually come of him.

Kiku's assumption about trouble to come is sadly correct because retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa's second son, Prince Mochihito, is convinced by an old friend of Kiku's named Minamoto No Yorimasa to claim the Emperor.

The whole thing worsens because Kiyomori's son, Taira no Munemori, steals Minamoto No Yorimasa's horse.

And suddenly, Kiku is preparing for a battle against many sohei. They fight bravely but are swiftly and quickly defeated by the Taira forces. Minamoto No Yorimasas commits seppuku inside the temple while his two sons fight outside. They capture and kill Prince Mochihito shortly after the battle is over.

Kiku is relieved that this ordeal seems to be over. Still, when he hears that one of Prince Mochihito's sons has fled north to join up with more anti-Taira forces, he considers committing seppuku himself. Also, Kiyomori burns down so many temples he might as well have been praying for defeat.

Kiyomori moves the capital to Fukuhara-kyo, and then he laments about strange visions he sees of skulls and ghosts, and Kiku knows he is doomed.

A person that Kiku thought he would never see again comes up, and a monk named Mongaku convinces Minamoto No Yori to also rebel against the Taira. And honestly, Kiku needed to find out where Kiyomori got all those enemies.

Kiku only stays at Fukuhara-kyo briefly, and soon they're moving back to Kyoto. Then, monks at Kofuku-ji kill messengers that Kiyomori sent, fearing an attack. Then Kiku discovers why Kiyomori has so many enemies.

He lays siege to Nara, destroying every temple, scripture, and statue. Only one survives. Memories that Kiku held dear.

Now, Kiku watches the Taira clan fall with glee.

Kiso no Yoshinaka (cousin of Minamoto No Yoritmoto) has also started a rebellion, which causes Kiku more happiness despite his growing migraines.

Another good thing that happens is that Kiyomori falls ill. His fever is so high that even water sprayed on him turns to black dust and ash, but a famine follows his death, leaving Kiku starving no matter how much he ate.

Despite all of this happening, the Taira are still winning. At the siege of Hiuchi, despite Minamoto heavily defending the fort, a traitor inside the fort sent a message about how to get over the defenses.

And while Kiku could quickly sabotage their workings, he still had no desire to see any of his people get killed, regardless of what they were doing was wrong.

The tides of the war would change later that year with the Battle of Kurikara. First, the Taira general assumed that the Minamoto had a more enormous army than they actually had, and then he started a formal battle.

First, the archery exchanges using whistling-bulb arrows and individual duels amongst 100 samurai.

But as the sun set, the Taira had found themselves surrounded by another Minamoto detachment, holding many more flags than they should've, convincing the Taira even more that they were facing off against a dangerous threat.

Then they released a herd of oxen down the pass with lit torches tied to their horns. Many of the Taira soldiers, including himself, were knocked off the path, meaning that the Minamoto captured him. Something he didn't end up minding all too much.

Kiku was executed for the show, but after he came back once again, he was given his duties.

A string of victories followed for the Minamoto, and the war would end with a naval battle. But this upcoming maritime battle would be difficult. The Taira were skilled in their sailing and naval tactics. But the Minamoto had more ships and allies.

The Taira had their fleet divided into three squadrons, while the Minamoto fleet was all together. The tide changed when the ships came close for people to board the other's ships. Then Taguchi Shigeyoshi did indeed defect to the Minamoto side and told them which ship the Emperor, along with the imperial regalia.

Once Taguchi told them that, Kiku knew what they were about to do.

He jumped from ship to ship; Taira soldiers committed suicide by jumping into the ocean. Kiku reached the Emperor's craft, where most rowmans had already been shot dead.

Kiku ran around the boat. He found the mirror in the hand of a dead attendant, but the other two were nowhere to be found. Kiku made his way to the front of the boat, where an attendant stood.

"They jumped into the water!" She yelled. Kiku's eyes widened, "who?" The attendant gestured to the water. "Kiyomori's widow and the Emperor. They tossed the Imperial Regalia into the ocean!"

Kiku jumped into the water after them; he swam down, hoping to find either the sword or the jewel. Kiku blindly grabbed through the water until he grabbed onto something. Kiku resurfaced as the attendant helped him out of the water once again.

Kiku finally got to see what he had grabbed onto. He chuckled; it was the imperial jewel. The attendant smiled, "Good job, sir."

The Taira clan was defeated, and the Emperor became nothing but a figurehead, with the shogun holding all the power. It seemed Kiku couldn't get a moment of peace. The sword was lost forever, but a replica was soon found.

This war changed Kiku's life; for better or worse, Kiku can not tell. He also learned of karma and that every wrong action will always come back for you. Too bad Kiku didn't retain that lesson.

[gleaningsinbuddhafields]

The Rise and Fall of the Fujiwara

In our recent visit to Kyoto, the ancient capitol of Japan, we also took a day to visit the city of Nara, which is an even earlier capitol. Downtown Nara has several highlights but two of them are the Buddhist temple of Kofukuji, and the Shinto shrine of Kasuga-Taisha (“Kasuga Grand Shrine”). Kofuku-ji Temple is one of the central temples of the once powerful Hosso sect, and Kasuga Grand Shrine…

[haydennorthrup]

🇯🇵 DAY SIX 🇯🇵

Today was another day where I struggled to sleep in, so I figured what better way to start the day then a nice walk in the park. I’ve always been one to make the best out of a situation and to not waste any time. As soon as I woke up, I got a protein shake from Family Mart, and headed out. The walk was worth the view to say the least.

After my morning stroll, we all left for Kofuku-ji temple. The large red building was magnificent and made for some great pictures. I decided to wear my Shohei Ohtani jersey that day and got looks from others like I was some kind of foreign alien (in a good way). The temple was flooded with school kids on a trip and I felt as though I was getting stared down from every which way. The pagoda at this location was much different than the last. Where the last one was a bright orange and looked like it had been repainted every year for the past 100 years, this one was worn down and had a brown color. While I liked the Nachi Falls one better, I still really appreciated the wabi-sabi aesthetic of this one.

After our time in Osaka, we headed to Nara. When most of us thought of Nara we only thought about the deer, but didn’t realize the other beauties it held. Todaiji temple was gorgeous from the outside, but what it held on the inside was even more spectacular. The giant Buddha on the inside were like nothing i have ever seen before. The amount of detail on the statues were magnificent, and I wish I could have read more about them and the process they went through to make them. Unfortunately the majority of plaques and signs in these temples were all Japanese. You could spend hours looking at these sculptures and still notice new things about them each minute. It made me appreciate Japanese art and tradition even more than I did before.

We then went to Kasuga Shrine and Nara park to spend some more time with the deer. The sweet but hangry animals were quick to attack when one had food in their hands. My most memorable experience at Nara was seeing the bowing deer. I saw a TikTok about them a while back, and thought it was a coincidence, but I was wrong. When standing close enough to the deer they will repeatedly bow their heads to you. While walking down the lantern lined path to Katsuga shrine, deer were lined up bowing to people walking through the entire way. In the midst of the hundreds of lanterns, happened to be something that caught my eye; a wall of gatcha machines. Everything there was as traditional as it could have been, until we were smacked with some more modernity. There were multiple gift shops before entering the pathway, and I was confused as to why they put these gatcha where they did. Seeing them and walking past them definitely took away from the traditional feel. It’s a sure fire way to make some money, but I think it’s disrespectful to have placed them there. This mix between tradition and modernity may seem very small, but is how contemporary Japan has reacted to a quickly developing environment.

[whencyclopedfr]

Kōfuku-ji

Le Kōfuku-ji est un temple bouddhiste fondé en 669 et transféré à son emplacement actuel à Nara, au Japon, en l'an 710. Il était le principal temple bouddhiste de l'influent clan Fujiwara pendant la période Heian (794-1185). La pagode à cinq étages du temple est devenue un symbole de la ville qui était la capitale du Japon au VIIIe siècle. Le Kōfuku-ji est classé au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO.

Lire la suite...

[neko-no-oto]

そして終盤戦。よーく考えると『THE・奈良』って画を撮ってないことに気がつきます（遅い）奈良公園を抜け興福寺〜浮御堂へと向かいます。

The end of the shooting season is approaching. I realized that I hadn't taken any typical pictures of Nara. After this, we headed for Kofuku-ji Temple and Ukimido through the Nara Park.

[artschoolglasses]

Kofuku-ji pagoda

Nara, Japan

[thekimonogallery]

A special exhibition "All about Daian-ji Temple" will be held at the Nara National Museum from April 23! In the Nara period, Daian-ji was counted as one of the seven major temples in Nanto along with Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji, and had a magnificent temple ground and a cathedral in Heijokyo. It will be an irresistible exhibition for fans, where you can enjoy more than 120 temple treasures, including 10 national treasures and 50 important cultural properties

[bm-asian-art]

Head of a Guardian, 13th century, Brooklyn Museum: Asian Art

An over-life-size head from a figure of one of the Shitenno, the four guardian kings of the cardinal directions in Buddhism. The head was at one time owned by the Nara temple Kofuku-ji. The fiery eyes, furrowed brow, prominent nose, and open mouth present a ferocious mien typical of these Heavenly Guardians, whose role was to protect the temple's sacred precincts. The head is carved of two blocks of wood, into which the topknot is inserted. Crystal inset eyes, painted on reverse. The filigree metal crown is a later replacement. Remains of polychrome on the outer surface, and traces of the painter's graffiti on the interior. Size: 22 1/16 x 10 1/4 x 13 15/16 (56.0 x 26.0 x 35.5 cm) Medium: Hinoki wood with lacquer on cloth, pigment, rock crystal, metal

https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/113653

[onna-musha]

“ Night at Nara : Sarusawa pond” (mid-20th century), Tokuriki Tomikichiro (1902 - 1999)

When I lived in Japan, the first place I decided to travel to was Nara. I actually went to Sarusawa pond in the evening, the scenery was strikingly similar to this print. I remember seating on a bench, looking at the water,  surrounded by the peace of the quiet night. 

[jetsettermac]

osaka & nara

february 22-24, 2020

>> osaka photos here << >> nara photos here <<

i went to osaka to meet up with a long-time tumblr friend, @pinchserveprince​. we were lucky enough to have met when we did, because covid really blew up not long after.

i traveled to osaka by shinkansen (about 3 hours) and checked into my hotel, and then i met liz for the first time (!!!) at osaka station and we had a fun rainy day adventure together!

first we went to abeno harukas, which is a huge skyscraper which has things like shopping and museums inside. after that we visited sumiyoshi grand shrine nearby, which was really cool because this shrine is the head shrine for all sumiyoshi shrines in japan. the shrine is one of the oldest shrines in the country, but fun fact! the sumiyoshi shrine in fukuoka is older! sumiyoshi shrines usually enshrine gods who protect travelers and fishermen.

after that we went to osaka aquarium, because the aquarium houses a super famous seal called yuki-chan! she is famous because she is extremely fat. i have loved yuki-chan for years and was really excited to see her and buy a yuki-chan plushie! the aquarium is really really nice. you basically follow the path it takes you on and visit different rooms and tanks full of animals that look healthy and well taken care of. the aquarium complex itself has a lot more than just the aquarium -- there’s some shopping and food as well. liz and i stopped in a cafe to have some pancakes, and then we went our separate ways.

the next day i went to nara alone. it’s really easy to get there from osaka, so if you’re in the area i recommend a day trip!

first i went to the edge of nara park and petted some deer. i got some deer senbei (rice crackers) and some of them got so excited they tried to eat my pants. if you’re going to feed the deer in nara, please be careful! the buses also have to be careful of the deer. since the deer are unafraid of people, they just wander in the road and hold up traffic sometimes lol. luckily most of nara’s sites are in or near the park. todaiji was an easy walk from the bus stop.

todaiji is a massive temple that is one of the most famous in japan. the gate alone at the entrance is massive, but the temple is just unbelievably big. the temple is so big that, until recently, it held the record for the world’s biggest wooden building! it’s actually an awe-inspiring sight, especially when you go inside and see the 15m tall buddha. famous japanese landmarks are usually busy and crowded, and todaiji was no exception even with covid happening, but inside the main hall the atmosphere was calm and respectful. it’s hard to describe how it makes you feel, except that you can really sense the history and the work that went into the building. suffice to say i spent a lot of time there just looking around.

after todaiji i walked deeper into the park and made a quick visit to kasuga grand shrine. kasuga taisha is nara’s most important shrine, because it enshrines deities that protect the city ever since nara became the capital of japan. i don’t really have a lot to say about kasuga taisha. i visited the free outer part, but did not visit the inner part, which is paid. i know that kasuga is also famous for having a bunch of lanterns, and some of them can be seen in the outer part of the shrine. it’s a really nice shrine surrounded by deer and trees, so it’s also recommended!

finally i walked back through nara park and visited kofuku-ji temple. it is another famous temple, known for its 5-story pagoda, which is the second tallest pagoda in the country, it’s central golden hall, which was just rebuilt and had just reopened before my visit, and also a pair of octagonal halls. the pagoda is a symbol of nara. while i was there i chose not to go into the central golden hall. there were a lot of people waiting to get inside and i wanted to try and avoid being in a crowd.

after that i went back to osaka. it was a lot of walking, after i’d already done a lot of walking, but i forced myself to visit glico man in dotonbori as well, because i had been unable to visit him in 2015 when i was in osaka last time. i also tried takoyaki for the first time, or octopus balls. they were not my favorite! i ended up eating pizza at osaka station instead, but it’s important to try new things.

overall i had a good time. i got to see yuki-chan and buy her plushie, i got to meet liz, which made me really happy. i got to eat some good food and pet some deer and have new experiences! i didn’t realize at the time that this would be my last trip for a long time. looking back on it, i had a good time but i’m also sad.

[samma-sambodhi]

— THE TRIPITAKA MASTER SHAN-WU-WEI — (pt.3) . The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin . In the case of the Pure Land school, the Chinese priests T’an-luan, Taoch’o, and Shan-tao MADE NUMEROUS ERRORS AND LED A GREAT MANY PEOPLE TO EMBRACE FALSE VIEWS. In Japan, Honen adopted the teachings of these men, and not only TAUGHT EVERYONE TO BELIEVE IN THE NEMBUTSU BUT ALSO ATTEMPTED TO WIPE OUT ALL THE OTHER SCHOOLS in the empire. Because the three thousand priests of Mount Hiei, as well as the priests of Kofuku-ji, Todai-ji, and the other temples of Nara—indeed, of all the eight schools—strove to put a stop to this, emperor after emperor issued edicts, and directives went out from the shogunate, all in an attempt to prevent the spread of this teaching, but in vain. On the contrary, it flourished all the more, until the emperor, the retired emperor, and the entire populace came to believe in it. . I, Nichiren, am the son of a humble family, born along the shore in Kataumi of Tojo in the province of Awa, a person who has neither authority nor virtue. If the censures of the temples of Nara and Mount Hiei and the powerful prohibitions of emperors could not put a stop to the Nembutsu teachings, then I wondered what I could do. But, employing the passages of the sutras as my mirror and the teachings of T’ient’ai and Dengyo as my compass, I HAVE ATTACKED THESE TEACHINGS FOR THE PAST SEVENTEEN YEARS, from the fifth year of the Kencho era (1253) to the present, the seventh year of the Bun’ei era (1270). AND, AS MAY BE SEEN BY THE EVIDENCE BEFORE ONE’S EYES, THE SPREAD OF THE NEMBUTSU IN JAPAN HAS BEEN LARGELY BROUGHT TO A HALT. . #Buddha #Buddhism #Buddhist #Dharma #meditation #meditator #Knowledge #wisdom #awakening #Consciousness #Japan #Spiritual #truth #om #vipassana #namaste #yogalife #positvevibes #Enlightenment #mindfulness #loveandlight #goodvibes #lotussutra #nammyohorengekyo #nichiren #art #Buddhistart #spiritualguidance #power #motivation https://www.instagram.com/p/B9w8h_OFhU-/?igshid=y15hlezlmt6e