Saidai-ji Temple

Overview

Saidai-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Saidaiji-Shiba neighborhood of Nara city, Nara Prefecture, and the head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect. Its mountain name is Shohozan and its principal image is a statue of Shaka Nyorai. In the Nara period it was founded by the vow of Retired Empress Koken (later re-enthroned as Empress Shotoku), with the monk Joto as its founding abbot.

Highlights

• ●Its standing as the head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect
• ●A history dating to the Nara period as one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto
• ●The principal image, a statue of Shaka Nyorai
• ●Temple treasures designated Important Cultural Properties and precincts registered as a national Historic Site

History

The temple was founded in 765, during the Nara period, by the vow of Retired Empress Koken (later re-enthroned as Empress Shotoku), with the monk Joto as founding abbot. As one of the Seven Great Temples of Nanto it boasted a magnificent monastic complex in the Nara period, but it declined for a time in the Heian period and was revived by Eison in the Kamakura period. After Eison took over its administration it became the head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect, and its principal image of Shaka Nyorai was enshrined by Eison in 1249.

Map

34.6936, 135.7795 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head to the precinct in Saidaiji-Shiba
2. 2View the principal image of Shaka Nyorai
3. 3See temple treasures designated Important Cultural Properties and the historic monastic grounds
4. 4Trace the temple's history as head temple of the Shingon Risshu sect

Did you know?

💡 The principal image, a statue of Shaka Nyorai, was enshrined by Eison in 1249.

Nearby spots