Todaiji

A temple of the Kegon sect located in Nara City, its principal image is the national treasure bronze seated statue of Vairocana Buddha, affectionately known as the 'Great Buddha of Nara'. Its origins are traced to the Kinshozanji temple, established in 728 CE (Shoki 5) by Emperor Shomu to mourn the late Crown Prince Tachibana no Hei. Following the imperial decree to construct the Great Buddha in 743 CE (Tenpyo 15), a grand consecration ceremony was held in 752 CE (Tenpyo Shoho 4). It became a center for state protection during the Nara period and a major center of learning where eight Buddhist sects were studied alongside Kegon Buddhism. The Great Buddha Hall was destroyed twice by fire: first during Taira no Masakado's burning of Nara in 1180 CE (Jisho 4), and again by wartime fires in 1567 CE (Eiroku 10). The current hall was rebuilt in 1709 CE (Hoeyo 6) during the mid-Edo period. It is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site under 'Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara'.