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{{Short description|Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name                  = Tōdai-ji
| native_name           = {{lang|ja|東大寺}}
| image                 = File:Tōdai-ji Kon-dō.jpg
| image_size            = 300
| alt                   = 
| caption               = Great Buddha Hall (''daibutsuden''), a [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasure]]
| map_type              = 
| map_size              = 
| map_alt               = 
| map_caption           = 
| location              = 1 Zōshi-chō, [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], [[Nara Prefecture]], Japan
| coordinates           = {{coord|34|41|21|N|135|50|23|E|type:landmark|display=inline, title}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Kegon]]
| deity                 = [[Vairocana|Birushana-butsu]] (Vairocana Buddha)
| country               = Japan
| functional_status     = 
| website               = {{url|http://www.todaiji.or.jp/}}
| founded_by            = [[Emperor Shōmu]]
| established           = Early 8th century
| year_completed        = {{Start date and age|1709}} (Reconstruction)
}}

{{nihongo|'''Tōdai-ji'''|東大寺|Todaiji temple|"Eastern Great Temple"}} is a [[Buddhist temple]] complex that was once one of the powerful [[Nanto Shichi Daiji|Seven Great Temples]], located in the city of [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], Japan. The construction of the temple was an attempt to imitate Chinese temples from the much-admired [[Tang dynasty]]. Though it was originally founded in the year 738 CE, Tōdai-ji was not opened until the year 752 CE. The temple has undergone several reconstructions since then, with the most significant reconstruction (that of the Great Buddha Hall) taking place in 1709.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Todaiji/|title=Todaiji|work=[[World History Encyclopedia]]|access-date=2019-04-07|language=en}}</ref> However, it was on the verge of collapse in the late 19th century due to the weight of its huge roof. The collapse was prevented through a first restoration (1904–1913), and its current appearance was completed using steel framing between 1974 and 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=奈良ゆかり探訪/奈良県公式ホームページ |url=https://www.pref.nara.jp/42027.htm |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.pref.nara.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=東大寺金堂（大仏殿）昭和大修理 {{!}} History {{!}} Our Heritage {{!}} 清水建設 |url=https://www.shimz.co.jp/heritage/history/details/1980_1.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.shimz.co.jp}}</ref> Its Great Buddha Hall ({{lang|ja|大仏殿}} ''Daibutsuden'') houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha [[Vairocana]], known in Japanese as ''[[Daibutsu]]'' ({{lang|ja|大仏}}). The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the [[Kegon]] school of Buddhism. The temple is a listed UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] as one of the "[[Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara]]", together with seven other sites (including temples, shrines and places) in the city of Nara.

==History==
[[File:200730 Model of the garan of Todaiji seen from north side.jpg|thumb|260px|A model of the garan of Tōdai-ji at the time of its foundation, seen from the north side, a part of 1/1000 scale model of [[Heijōkyō]] held by Nara City Hall.]]
[[File:Plan of Todaiji.svg|thumb|Map of the Tōdai-ji complex with a number of buildings that do not exist anymore, such as the two pagodas, and the library, lecture hall, refectory, and monks' quarters behind the main hall]]

=== Origins ===
[[File:東大寺越前国桑原庄券第三.jpg|thumb|left|Record of temple lands in [[Echizen Province]] in 757 ([[Important Cultural Properties of Japan|ICP]]); as head of the national network of [[Provincial temple|Provincial Temples]], Tōdai-ji's privileges included a large network of [[Shōen|tax-exempt estates]]<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5dmxY_HIWp8C&pg=PA84 |title=Population, Disease, and Land in Early Japan, 645–900 |author=Farris, William Wayne |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |year=1985 |isbn=0-674-69005-2 |pages=84 ff}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J-tO9pOjzmsC&pg=PA97 |title=Medieval Japan: Essays in Institutional History |author1=Hall, John Whitney |author2=Mass, Jeffrey P |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |year=1974 |isbn=0-8047-1510-6 |pages=97 ff|author1-link=John Whitney Hall }}</ref>]]Todaiji is well-known for the Nara Daibutsu, also known as "The Great Buddha of Nara," which is an image of the Buddha Birushana.<ref name = "William">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/handbooktolifein0000deal/page/216/mode/2up|title=Handbook to Life in Medieval & early Modern Japan|author=William E. Deal |year=2006 |isbn=0-8160-5622-6 |pages=216–217|publisher=Facts On File, Incorporated }}</ref> The current Buddha was repaired after suffering significant damage in 1692.<ref name = "William"/> Under the leadership of Abbot Shunjobo Chogen (1121–1206), numerous structures at Todaiji were rebuilt in 1180 in the fashion of the [[Southern Song dynasty]] of [[China]].<ref name = "William"/>

During the [[Tenpyō]] era, Japan suffered from a series of disasters and epidemics. It was after experiencing these problems that [[Emperor Shōmu]] issued an edict in 741 to promote the construction of [[provincial temple]]s throughout the nation. Later in 743 during the [[Tenpyō]] era the Emperor commissioned the [[Daibutsu]] to be built in 743.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The future and the past : a translation and study of the Gukanshō, an interpretative history of Japan written in 1219|last=Jien, 1155–1225.|date=1979|publisher=University of California Press|others=Brown, Delmer Myers, 1909–, Ishida, Ichirō, 1913–2006., 石田, 一良(1913–2006)|isbn=0520034600|location=Berkeley|oclc=5145872}}</ref> Tōdai-ji (still Kinshōsen-ji at the time) was appointed as the provincial temple of [[Yamato Province]] and the head of all the provincial temples. With the alleged coup d'état by [[Nagaya]] in 729, a [[735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic|major outbreak of smallpox]] around 735–737,<ref name="Kohn">{{Cite book| last = Kohn | first =George C. | title = Encyclopedia of Plague and Pestilence: From Ancient Times to the Present | publisher = Checkmark Books | year = 2002 | location = Princeton, New Jersey | isbn = 978-0816048939 | page = 213}}</ref> worsened by several consecutive years of poor crops, followed by a rebellion led by Fujiwara no Hirotsugu in 740, the country was in a chaotic situation. [[Emperor Shōmu]] had been forced to move the capital four times, indicating a certain level of instability during this period.<ref>Hall, John W., ''et al.'', eds. (1988). ''The Cambridge history of Japan,'' pp. 398–400.</ref>

=== Role in early Japanese Buddhism ===
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Toudaiji (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Tōdai-ji" in ''[[kanji]]''
| picupright = 0.525
| kanji = 東大寺
| romaji = Tōdai-ji
}}According to legend, the monk [[Gyōki]] went to [[Ise Grand Shrine]] to reconcile Shinto with Buddhism. He spent seven days and nights reciting sutras until the oracle declared Vairocana Buddha compatible with worship of the sun goddess [[Amaterasu]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The Great Eastern Temple: Treasures of Japanese Buddhist Art From Tōdai-Ji|author=Mino, Yutaka|date=1986|publisher=Garland Publishing Inc.|page=22}}</ref>[[File:200604 Model of Todaiji Kondo of its foundation.jpg|thumb|260px|A Model of the Kondo (Great Buddha Hall) at the time of foundation. The original hall was larger than the one built after it.]]
Under the [[Ritsuryō]] system of government in the [[Nara period]], Buddhism was heavily regulated by the state through the {{nihongo|Sōgō|僧綱||''Office of Priestly Affairs''}}. During this time, Tōdai-ji served as the central administrative temple for the provincial temples<ref name="abe">{{cite book | last = Abe | first = Ryuichi | title = The Weaving of Mantra: Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse | publisher=Columbia University Press | year = 1999 | isbn = 0-231-11286-6 | pages=35, 55}}</ref> and for the [[Buddhism in Japan#Nara Period|six Buddhist schools in Japan]] at the time: the [[Dharma character school|Hossō]], [[Kegon]], [[Satyasiddhi|Jōjitsu]], [[Sanlun|Sanron]], [[Risshū (Buddhism)|Ritsu]] and [[Kusha (Buddhism)|Kusha]]. Letters dating from this time also show that all six Buddhist schools had offices at Tōdai-ji, complete with administrators, shrines and their own library.<ref name="abe" />

[[File:Todaiji16st3200.jpg|thumb|The Great South Gate (''nandaimon''), a [[National Treasures of Japan|National Treasure]] (13th century)]]

Japanese Buddhism during this time still maintained the lineage of the [[Vinaya]] and all officially licensed monks were required to take their ordination under the Vinaya at Tōdai-ji. In 754 CE, ordination was given by [[Ganjin]], who arrived in Japan after traveling over 12 years and six attempts of crossing the sea from China, to [[Empress Kōken]], former [[Emperor Shōmu]] and others. Later Buddhist monks, including [[Kūkai]] and [[Saichō]] received their ordination here as well.<ref name="Hakeda22">{{cite book|title=Kūkai and His Major Works|last=Hakeda|first=Yoshito S.|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1972|isbn=0-231-05933-7|page=35}}</ref> During Kūkai's administration of the Sōgō, additional ordination ceremonies were added to Tōdai-ji, including the ordination of the [[Bodhisattva vows|Bodhisattva Precepts]] from the [[Brahmajala Sutra (Mahayana)|Brahma Net Sutra]] and the esoteric Precepts, or [[Samaya]], from Kukai's own newly established [[Shingon]] school of Buddhism. Kūkai added an [[Abhiseka]] Hall to use for initiating monks of the six Nara schools into the esoteric teachings<ref name="abe2">{{cite book|title=The Weaving of Mantra: Kukai and the Construction of Esoteric Buddhist Discourse|last=Abe|first=Ryuichi|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=1999|isbn=0-231-11286-6|pages=35, 55}}</ref> by 829 CE.

===Decline===
As the center of power in Japanese Buddhism shifted away from Nara to [[Mount Hiei]] and the [[Tendai]] sect, and when the 
centre of political power in Japan moved from the emperor's
capital to the [[Shogun|shōgun's]] base in [[Kamakura, Kanagawa|Kamakura]] in the aftermath of the [[Genpei war]], Tōdai-ji's role in maintaining authority declined. In later generations, the Vinaya lineage also died out, despite repeated attempts to revive it; thus no more ordination ceremonies take place at Tōdai-ji.

==Architecture==

===Initial construction===
[[File:Todaiji shoro.jpg|thumb|left|The belfry at Tōdai-ji]]

In 743, [[Emperor Shōmu]] issued a law stating that the people should become directly involved with the establishment of new Buddhist temples throughout Japan. The Emperor believed that such piety would inspire Buddha to protect his country from further disaster. [[Gyōki]], with his pupils, traveled the provinces asking for donations. According to records kept by Tōdai-ji, more than 2,600,000 people in total helped construct the Great Buddha and its Hall, contributing<ref>{{cite web |title=1300年前に海を渡ってきた文化は奈良から日本各地へと広まった |trans-title= The culture that crossed the sea 1300 years ago spread to Japan |author1=NARA Prefecture | url=http://www.pref.nara.jp/koho/kenmindayori/tayori/t2010/tayori2208/tyu_kan_yukari2208.htm |quote="The general Supervisor of the Giant Buddha is a craftsman from Baekje, In the construction of Todai-ji Temple, a craftsman from Silla was in charge of the general supervision. And The stone lion making was of the craftsman from Southern Song. like this Many Chinese and Korean and those descendants contributed to the construction of Todai-ji Temple and the construction of the Giant Buddha."}}</ref> rice, wood, metal, cloth, or labour, with 350,000 working directly on the statue's construction.<ref name="official">{{cite web |title=Official Tōdai-ji Homepage |language=ja |url=http://www.todaiji.or.jp/ |access-date = 2007-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1-link=James Huffman (historian)|author=Huffman, James L.|title=Japan in World History|location=New York: Oxford University Press|year=2010}}</ref><ref>The same record keeps track of some prominent persons, among many others, being involved in the construction. E.g. [[Kuninaka-no-muraji Kimimaro]], whose grandfather was an immigrant from the [[Baekje]] Kingdom on the Korean peninsula, is believed to have directed the construction of the Great Buddha and the Hall. Takechi-no-sanekuni is believed to have directed the sculpture part.</ref> The 16&nbsp;m (52&nbsp;ft)<ref>The height of the original Buddha.</ref> high statue was built through eight castings over three years, the head and neck being cast together as a separate element.<ref>Brown, Delmer ''et al.'' (1979). ''Gukanshō,'' p. 286.</ref> The making of the statue was started first in [[Shigaraki, Shiga|Shigaraki]]. After enduring multiple fires and earthquakes, the construction was eventually resumed in Nara in 745,<ref name="official"/> and the Buddha was finally completed in 751. A year later, in 752, the [[Buddhābhiseka|eye-opening ceremony]] was held with an attendance of 10,000 monks and 4,000 dancers to celebrate the completion of the Buddha.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mino |first=Yutaka |title=The Great Eastern Temple: Treasures of Japanese Buddhist Art From Tōdai-Ji |publisher=Garland Publishing Inc. |date=1986 |page=34 |isbn=0-253-20390-2}}</ref> The Indian priest [[Bodhisena]] performed the eye-opening for [[Emperor Shōmu]]. The project cost Japan greatly, as the statue used much of Japan's bronze and relied entirely on imported gold.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dresser |first=Christopher |title=Japan: Its Architecture, Art and Art Manufactures |url=https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres |location=New York and London |date=1882 |page=[https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres/page/89 89]}}</ref> 48 lacquered cinnabar pillars, 1.5&nbsp;m in diameter and 30&nbsp;m long, support the blue tiled roof of the Daibutsu-den.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mino |first=Yutaka |title=The Great Eastern Temple: Treasures of Japanese Buddhist Art From Tōdai-Ji |publisher=Garland Publishing Inc. |date=1986 |page=33,40 |isbn=0-253-20390-2}}</ref>

Maps that include some of the original structures of Tōdai-ji are rare, though some still exist today. Some of these structures include, the two pagodas, the library, lecture hall, refectory, and the monk's quarters located behind the main hall. Tōdai-ji functioned not only as a place of worship and Buddhist practice, but as a place of higher learning and study. Much of what contemporaries now know about the original layout of the temple comes from the writings of monks who lived and studied there.

The original complex contained two 100 m [[pagoda]]s, making them some of the tallest structures at the time. They were located on either side of the complex, one on the western (西塔) and one on the eastern side (東塔).<ref>[http://www.todaiji.or.jp/images/pdf/toutouinnato.pdf お探しのページは移動もしくは削除されてしまった可能性があります]</ref> The pagodas themselves were surrounded by a walled courtyard with four gates.<ref>[http://www.todaiji.or.jp/images/pdf/toutouinato20161020.pdf お探しのページは移動もしくは削除されてしまった可能性があります]</ref> These were destroyed by an earthquake. One of the ''[[sōrin]]'' finials was reproduced for the 1970 Osaka Expo and is standing at the spot where one of the pagodas used to stand.

The [[Shōsōin]] was its storehouse, and now contains many artifacts from the [[Tenpyō]] period of [[History of Japan|Japanese history]].

===Reconstructions post-Nara Period===
[[File:Todaiji Nara models (4) (retouched).jpg|thumb|A model of the Kondo that was rebuilt in the Kamakura period]]
[[File:NaraTodaijiDaibutsu0212.jpg|thumb|The Great Buddha (''[[Daibutsu]]'') in the main hall]]
[[File:1915 Todaiji.jpg|thumb|Todaiji in 1915 after the first restoration<ref>{{Cite web |title=東大寺 |url=https://www.library.pref.nara.jp/supporter/naraweb/toudaiji-1.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.library.pref.nara.jp}}</ref>]]
The Great Buddha Hall (''Daibutsuden'') has been rebuilt twice after fire. The current building was finished in 1709, and although immense—{{convert|57|m}} long, {{convert|50|m}} wide and {{convert|49|m}} high—it is actually 30% smaller than its predecessor, being reduced from 11 to 7 bays wide due to lack of funds. Until 1998, it was the world's largest wooden building.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/870 |title=Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara – UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher=Whc.unesco.org |access-date=2012-08-15}}</ref> It has been surpassed by modern structures, such as the Japanese baseball stadium [[Odate Jukai Dome]], amongst others. The Great Buddha statue has been [[casting|recast]] several times for various reasons, including earthquake damage. The current hands of the statue were made in the [[Azuchi–Momoyama period|Momoyama Period]] (1568–1615), and the head was made in the [[Edo period]] (1615–1867).

The existing Nandaimon (Great South Gate) was constructed at the end of the 12th century based on [[Daibutsuyō|Daibutsuyō style]], after the original gate was destroyed by a typhoon during the Heian period. The dancing figures of the [[Nio (Buddhism)|Nio]], the two {{convert|28|ft|m|order=flip|adj=mid|-tall}} guardians at the Nandaimon, were built around the same time by the artists [[Unkei]], [[Kaikei]], and their workshop staff. The Nio are an ''[[A-un]]'' pair known as ''Ungyo'', which by tradition has a facial expression with a closed mouth, and ''Agyo'', which has an open mouthed expression.<ref>Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System (JAANUS), [http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/n/niou.htm "Niou" (仁王)]; [http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/a/aun.htm "A un" (阿吽)], 2001, retrieved 2011-04-14.</ref> The two figures were closely evaluated and extensively restored by a team of art conservators between 1988 and 1993. Until then, these sculptures had never before been moved from the niches in which they were originally installed. This complex preservation project, costing $4.7 million, involved a restoration team of 15 experts from the [[National Treasure Repairing Institute]] in Kyoto.<ref>Sterngold, James. 
[https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/28/arts/japan-restores-old-temple-gods.html "Japan Restores Old Temple Gods"]. ''[[The New York Times]].'' December 28, 1991, retrieved 2011-04-14; excerpt, "The Nio are known as Ungyo, which by tradition has a closed mouth, and Agyo, which has an open mouth. The figures, which appear in some form in many Buddhist temples, are powerful bare-chested gods, wielding heavy cudgels to ward off evil spirits. Ungyo was restored first. The more delicate parts were removed, including the long ribbon streaming from its top knot. Then the statue was swathed in thick layers of cotton, laid on its back and rolled slowly to a large metal shed built for the conservation. Ungyo was replaced this year and then Agyo was removed to the shed for restoration, a process that is likely to take two years."</ref>

By the 19th century, the Great Buddha Hall had become seriously deteriorated, and its roof and pillars had warped, and by the Meiji period, it had become so damaged that it was strange that it did not collapse.

However, Japan, which was Westernizing, was influenced by the West and developed the concept of protecting cultural properties, and the first large-scale restoration project was carried out from 1904 to 1913. However, even then, the warped roof could not be completely repaired, so instead, support beams were erected to prevent collapse. After that, it escaped the US air raids during [[World War II]] and was safe, and in 1974, the second large-scale construction project began. 

At this time, a new change occurred in the wooden structure of the Great Buddha Hall. A total of 100,000 people were mobilized for the construction. During this time, the roof was completely removed and fixed using steel frames,<ref>{{Cite web |title=東大寺金堂（大仏殿）昭和大修理 {{!}} History {{!}} Our Heritage {{!}} 清水建設 |url=https://www.shimz.co.jp/heritage/history/details/1980_1.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.shimz.co.jp}}</ref> and the wooden pillars of the Great Buddha Hall were remodeled using steel frames and concrete.<ref>https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/aija/65/535/65_KJ00004224004/_pdf</ref> This construction was completed in 1980, This second large scale construction project resulted in the Great Buddha Hall having its current appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=東大寺の歴史 |url=https://www.nara-wu.ac.jp/grad-GP-life/bunkashi_hp/hist_todaiji/hist_todaiji.html |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.nara-wu.ac.jp}}</ref>

===Dimensions of the Daibutsu===
The temple gives the following dimensions for the statue:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.todaiji.or.jp/index/info/faq/d-ookisa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219172210/http://www.todaiji.or.jp/index/info/faq/d-ookisa.html|url-status=dead|title=大仏さまの大きさ|archive-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref>
* Height: {{convert|14.98|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
* Face: {{convert|5.33|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
* Eyes: {{convert|1.02|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
* Nose: {{convert|0.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
* Ears: {{convert|2.54|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

The statue's shoulders are 28 meters across and there are 960 six curls atop its head.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dresser |first=Christopher |title=Japan: Its Architecture, Art and Art Manufactures |url=https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres |location=New York and London |date=1882 |page=[https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres/page/94 94]}}</ref> The Birushana Buddha's golden halo is {{convert|87|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} in diameter with 16 images each {{convert|8|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} tall.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dresser |first=Christopher |title=Japan: Its Architecture, Art and Art Manufactures |url=https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres |location=New York and London |date=1882 |page=[https://archive.org/details/japanitsarchitec00dres/page/89 89]}}</ref>

Using x-rays, a human tooth, along with pearls, mirrors, swords, and jewels have been discovered inside the knee of the Great Buddha; these are believed to be the relics of [[Emperor Shomu]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Ruppert |first=Brian D. |title=Jewel in the Ashes: Buddha Relics and Power in Medieval Japan |publisher=Harvard University Asia Center |date=2000 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/jewelinashesbudd00rupp/page/61 61–62] |isbn=0-674-00245-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/jewelinashesbudd00rupp/page/61 }}</ref>

The statue weighs {{convert|500|t|ST}}.
{{Clear}}

== Temple precincts and gardens ==
[[File:Isuien Garden and the South Gate of the Tōdai-ji.jpg|right|thumb|150px|South Gate utilized in [[Isuien Garden]].]]
Various buildings of the Tōdai-ji have been incorporated within the overall aesthetic intention of the gardens' design. Adjacent villas are today considered part of Tōdai-ji. Some of these structures are now open to the public.

Over the centuries, the buildings and gardens have evolved together as to become an integral part of an organic and living temple community.

The Tōdai-ji Culture Center opened on October 10, 2011, comprising a museum to exhibit the [[List of Cultural Properties of Tōdai-ji#Sculptures|many sculptures and other treasures]] enshrined in the [[List of Cultural Properties of Tōdai-ji#Structures|various temple halls]], along with a library and research centre, storage facility, and auditorium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111012a7.html |title=Todaiji unveils museum to show ancient treasures |work=The Japan Times |date=October 12, 2011 |access-date=April 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804181332/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20111012a7.html |archive-date=2012-08-04}} [https://buddhistartnews.wordpress.com/2011/10/23/todaiji-unveils-museum-to-show-ancient-treasures/ Alt URL]</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 26, 2021 |url=https://www.todaiji.or.jp/information/museum/ |script-title=ja:東大寺総合文化センター |trans-title=Tōdaiji Culture Center |language=ja |publisher=Tōdai-ji |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nagata.co.jp/e_news/news1102-e.html |title=Nara's Todaiji Cultural Center Completed |publisher=[[Nagata Acoustics]] |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=April 20, 2012}}</ref>

==Japanese national treasures==
{{Main|List of Cultural Properties of Tōdai-ji}}

The architectural master-works are classified as:

{| class="wikitable"
|+National treasures
!Romaji
!Kanji
|-
|[[Main Hall (Japanese Buddhism)|Kon-dō]] (Daibutsuden)
|金堂 (大仏殿)
|-
|Nandaimon
|南大門
|-
|Kaizan-dō
|開山堂
|-
|Shōrō
|鐘楼
|-
|Hokke-dō (Sangatsu-dō)
|法華堂 (三月堂)
|-
|[[Nigatsu-dō]]
|二月堂
|-
|Tegaimon
|転害門
|}

==Major historical events==
[[File:Todaiji model pagoda (retouched).jpg|thumb|upright|The temple originally had two large [[pagoda]]s on either side of the complex, which used to be among the tallest structures of its time.]]
* 728: Kinshōsen-ji, the forerunner of Tōdai-ji, is established as a gesture of appeasement for the troubled spirit of Prince Motoi.
* 741: Emperor Shōmu calls for nationwide establishment of provincial temples,<ref>Varley, H. Paul. (1980). ''Jinnō Shōtōki,'' pp. 141–142.</ref> and Kinshōsen-ji appointed as the head provincial temple of Yamato.
* 743: The Emperor commands that a very large Buddha image statue shall be built—the ''[[Daibutsu]]'' or Great Buddha—and initial work is begun at [[Shigaraki]]-no-miya.<ref>Titsingh, Isaac. (134). ''Annales des empereurs du japon,'' p. 72; Brown, p. 273.</ref>
* 745: The capital returns to [[Heijō Kyō|Heijō-kyō]], construction of the Great Buddha resumes in Nara. Usage of the name Tōdai-ji appears on record.<ref>Titsingh, pp. 72–73.</ref>
* 752: The Eye-opening Ceremony celebrating the completion of the Great Buddha held.<ref>Titsingh, p. 74; Varley, p. 142 n59.</ref>
* 855: The head of the great statue of the Buddha Vairocana suddenly fell to the ground; and gifts from the pious throughout the empire were collected to create another, more well-seated head for the restored Daibutsu.<ref>Titsingh, p. 114; Brown, p. 286.</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[Matsuo Bashō]] refers to the Great Buddha statue in a [[haiku]] (1689–1670):
初雪や /  いつ大仏 /  の柱立.<br />
"First snow!/ When Buddha's great statue/ pillar-erection"<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0LQ0DSJ2tcC&q=matsuo+basho+great+buddha+first+snow&pg=PA230 |title = Basho's Haiku: Selected Poems of Matsuo Basho|isbn = 9780791484654|last1 = Basho|first1 = Matsuo|date = February 2012| publisher=State University of New York Press }}</ref><br />
And,<br />
"First snow and / there stands the great Buddha / a pillar of strength"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wordpress.com/post/matsuobashohaiku.home.blog/26|title=WordPress.com|website=WordPress.com}}</ref>

Tōdai-ji has been used as a location in several Japanese films and television dramas. It was also used in the 1950s [[John Wayne]] movie ''[[The Barbarian and the Geisha]]'' when Nandaimon, the Great South Gate, doubled as a city's gates.

On May 20, 1994, the international music festival ''[[The Great Music Experience]]'' was held at Tōdai-ji, supported by [[UNESCO]]. Performers included the Tokyo New Philharmonic Orchestra, [[X Japan]], [[INXS]], [[Jon Bon Jovi]], [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Tomoyasu Hotei]], [[Roger Meddows Taylor|Roger Taylor]], classic [[taiko|Japanese drummers]], and a Buddhist monk choir. This event, organized by British producer [[Tony Hollingsworth]], was simultaneously broadcast in 55 countries on May 22 and 23, 1994.

The 2007 animation series [[Mononoke (TV series)|Mononoke]] (モノノ怪), which is a spin-off of the 2006 horror anthology series [[Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales]], references the Tōdai-ji, particularly the treasure room [[Shōsōin]], in Episodes 8 and 9.

The Tōdai-ji is used as the Japanese wonder in [[Age of Empires II]].

The Tōdai-ji is the subject of the 2003 novella "A Mountain to the North, A Lake to the South, Paths to the West, A River to the East" ("Északról hegy, Délről tó, Nyugatról utak, Keletről folyó") by [[László Krasznahorkai]].

== International outreach ==
Following the [[Notre-Dame de Paris fire]] in April 2019, Japanese authorities declared plans to expand fire prevention measures at several historic locations, including Tōdai-ji in Nara, partly by hiring new, younger employees in a context where temple and shrine staff are [[aging of Japan|aging]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2019041901003/notre-dame-fire-heightens-vigilance-at-historical-sites-in-japan.html|title=Notre Dame Fire Heightens Vigilance at Historic Sites in Japan|last=Nippon.com|date=April 22, 2019|work=Nippon.com|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref> Custodians of Todaiji temple also installed a donation box, stating "Let's Rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral", in the hallway behind the Great Buddha statue. In June 2019, a sign next to the box, in Japanese and English, explained why Tōdai-ji, as headquarters of the [[Kegon]] sect of Buddhism, was soliciting funds in this way. The English version declared, "Todai-ji temple has been reconstructed every time it burned down by big fires thanks to the significant effort of many people. We sincerely express our deepest sympathy for the tragedy that hit the Notre-Dame de Paris. Going beyond the creed, we would like to ask everyone for your support to reconstruct the cathedral."

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Guardian figure, Todai-ji, Nara.jpg|Guardian figure, Tōdai-ji.
File:Tengaimon Gate.jpg|The Tengai-mon is also a National Treasure (8th century).
File:NaraTodaiji0252.jpg|Hokke-dō is also a National Treasure (8th century).
File:Todaiji07s3200.jpg|Nigatsu-dō is also a National Treasure (17th century).
File:Nara 2020 at Chūmon, Todaiji.jpg| Chūmon Gate
File:Tōdai-ji.jpg|''[[Daibutsu]]''; Note caretaker standing at base for scale.
File:Statuette from grounds of Tōdai-ji.jpg|Stone Jizō from grounds of Tōdai-ji.
File:Komokuten - temple Todai-ji - Nara.jpg|Komokuten, one of the pair of guardians in the Daibutsuden
File:Tamonten-Bishamonten - temple Todai-ji - Nara.jpg|[[Vaiśravaṇa|Bishamonten]] watching over Tōdai-ji and its precincts.
File:Toudai-ji bonsyou.jpg|Bronze bell
File:Todaiji Syunie Nara JPN 001.JPG|Shuni-e held March 1 to 14 in [[Nigatsu-dō]].
File:Onigawara 3 kaidan-in JPN.jpg|''[[Onigawara]]'' roof tiles
File:NaraTodaijiDaibutsu Incised Images0.JPG|[[Bodhisattvas]] incised on Lotus Petal of the throne of the main Buddha, 8th century.
File:NaraTodaijiDaibutsu Incised Images1.JPG|Incised image on Lotus Petal of the throne of the main Buddha, 8th century.
File:ONJYO BOSATSU Todaiji.JPG|Relief of a [[Krishna]] previous Bodhisattva playing a flute on the temple's 8th century Octagonal Lantern.
File:Todaiji sorin.jpg|[[Sōrin]]
File:Nio guardians by Unkei in Nara.jpg|Agyo, one of two great gate guardians within Nandaimon, was created by [[Unkei]], [[Kaikei]], and other sculptors in 1203
File:Todaiji02s3200.jpg|The main hall, with festival decorations
File:NaraTodaijiL0219.jpg|A supporting post in the ''Daibutsuden'' has a hole said to be the same size as one of the ''Daibutsu'''s nostrils. Legend has it that those who pass through it will be blessed with enlightenment in their next life.
File:Shaka at birth basin.JPG|[[Shaka at Birth (Tōdai-ji)|Shaka at Birth]] (National Treasure)
File:Todaiji Gakko Bosatsu.jpg|Gakko Bosatsu
File:TAMONTEN KAIDANIN Todaiji.JPG|TAMONTEN
File:Vajirapani Shukongoshin Todaiji2.JPG|Vajirapani Shukongoshin
File:Todaiji Monaster Fukukensaku Kwannon of Hokkedo (232).jpg|[[Guanyin|Fukukensaku Kwannon]] of Hokkedo
File:Nara, todai-ji 05.JPG|Kokūzō Bosatsu
File:Nyoirin-kannon (11140621175).jpg|[[Guanyin|Nyoirin-kannon]]
File:Binzuru at Todai-ji in Nara.jpg|Wooden Binzuru (healer) sculpture at Todai-ji temple
File:Todaiji Octagonal Lantern.jpg|Octagonal Lantern
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Religion|Architecture}}
*[[Kanjin#Kanjinshoku of Todai-ji]]
*[[Kōtoku-in]], location of the Kamakura Great Buddha
* [[List of National Treasures of Japan (ancient documents)]]
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (archaeological materials)]]
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)]]
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)]]
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)]]
* [[List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)]]
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)]]
*[[List of tallest structures built before the 20th century]]
*[[Nanto Shichi Daiji]], Seven Great Temples of Nanto
*[[Old Government Buildings (Wellington)]], New Zealand – second-largest wooden building in the world
*[[Ostankino Palace]], third-largest wooden building in the world<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstube.ru/media/v-stolice-ostaetsya-vse-men%27she-derevyannyx-zdanij |title=В столице остается все меньше деревянных зданий |publisher=Newstube.ru |access-date=2012-08-15}}</ref>
*[[Shōhō-ji (Gifu)|Shōhō-ji]], location of the [[Gifu Great Buddha]]
*[[Siege of Nara]]
*[[Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine]], Shinto shrine near the temple precincts
*[[Tourism in Japan]]
*[[Tōdai-ji Hachiman]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|33em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Tōdai-ji}}
* [http://www.todaiji.or.jp/ The official Tōdai-ji homepage (Japanese)] [http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html/ (English)]
* [http://www.gojapango.com/travel/nara_todaiji.htm Tōdai-ji] Guide GoJapanGo
* [http://www.taleofgenji.org/todaiji.html Photos of Tōdai-ji Temple, its Lotus Hall and Ordination Hall]
* [http://poweredbysteam.com/2009/02/deer-in-nara-japan/ Photos of Tōdai-ji Temple and sika deer]
* [https://visitnara.jp/venues/A00485/ Todaiji Temple, from The Official Nara Travel Guide]
* {{OSM|n|251381458}}

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{World Heritage Nara}}
{{Daibutsu}}
{{Buddhist temples in Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Todai-ji}}
[[Category:8th-century Buddhist temples]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1709]]
[[Category:18th-century Buddhist temples]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan]]
[[Category:National Treasures of Japan]]
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Nara, Nara]]
[[Category:Colossal Buddha statues in Japan]]
[[Category:Gardens in Nara Prefecture]]
[[Category:Nara period]]
[[Category:Historic Sites of Japan]]
[[Category:Important Cultural Properties of Japan]]
[[Category:Wooden buildings and structures in Japan]]
[[Category:8th-century establishments in Japan]]
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[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in the 740s]]
[[Category:Nara Prefecture designated tangible cultural property]]