Overview:

Tōdai-ji In Ireland is a branch of the Japanese temple ‘Tōdai-ji’ located in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Irish branch of the temple is located in Dublin and serves as a place of spiritual retreat and healing. The main activities of the temple are meditation, music and calligraphy workshops, as well as Buddhism-related talks. It is open to the public on certain days of the week and also offers classes. The temple aims to promote peace and harmony both inside and outside the temple grounds through its activities. Tōdai-ji In Ireland's mission is to promote and expand the culture of Nihon (the Japanese way) and its values. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

1. Great Buddha Hall: The Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) is one of the most iconic sights of Todaiji and a symbol of Japanese Buddhism. It is the world's largest wooden structure and houses the Great Buddha of Nara, a giant bronze figure of the Amida Buddha that is 8.2 meters tall and weighs over 500 tons. 2. Nigatsudo: Nigatsudo is a hall located on the grounds of the temple, dedicated to the worship of the morning star (Nigatsu). The hall is built in the style of a traditional pagoda, and its exterior is decorated with colorful carvings of dragons and fierce warriors, as well as carved wooden pillars and gilded roof tiles. 3. Sankyo-in: This sub-temple contains a large statue of Fudo Myoo, the God of Fire, as well as other smaller statues and images of the Kannon goddess, Jizo Bosatsu, and Amida Buddha. There is also a ceramic tableau of 36 figures depicting the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, twenty four seasonal animals and six kinds of flowers. 4. Yumedono: This is a large, open pavilion located in the inner courtyard of the temple complex that was built in 885 A.D. and is one of the oldest structures at Todaiji. It is known for the fresco of flying apsaras painted on its walls, and is believed to be the location of Emperor Shomu's dream in which he was visited by the gods who advised him to build the Great Buddha Hall. 5. Gold Lanterns: One of the most striking features of the temple grounds are the golden lanterns that adorn the path leading up to the main gate. These were installed by the Emperor Meiji in the late 19th century and are stunning to behold at night. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

Tōdai-ji was founded in the 7th century by Shōtoku Taishi in Nara, Japan. It was initially known as Saidai-ji and was meant to be the state temple of the newly formed Japanese state. It was later renamed Tōdai-ji as it was rebuilt in the 8th century and became the main temple of the Fujiwara clan, who were powerful rulers of the time. As Japanese culture spread across the world, it wasn't long until evidence of Tōdai-ji was found inIreland. In the 18th century, during the time of the Great Famine, a wooden statue of Great Buddha (Daibutsu), the main statue of Tōdai-ji, was found in a peat bog in Riverdance, County Meath. These were confirmed to have been carved in the 12th century, making them the oldest known sculptures of a Japanese Buddhist figure in the western world. Since then, several other collections of artwork from Tōdai-ji have been found in Ireland, including several stone lanterns that were used for the festival Mitama Matsuri. While it has been speculated that these pieces may have been brought to Ireland by Japanese traders, their origin remains a mystery and only serves to heighten the mystery and appeal of the unique artwork. As a result of these discoveries, Tōdai-ji became a popular topic of study and fascination among Irish scholars. In recent years, research groups have been established across the country to further explore the Japanese culture and artworks associated with Tōdai-ji. This has enabled people to gain a better understanding of the of the many artifacts that have been discovered. Tōdai-ji has become an integral part of Ireland’s cultural heritage, and its influence has been far-reaching. Ireland is now home to a range of cultural artwork from Japan, including some of the oldest and rare Japanese artifacts outside of their native land. The tradition of Tōdai-ji still lives on in Ireland, and its associated artwork provides insight into the rich and complex cultural history of the country. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1.Tōdai-ji was first constructed in 752 AD, and is part of an extensive temple complex. 2.Tōdai-ji’s main hall is the largest wooden building in the world. It is over 50 metres long and 25 metres wide. 3.Tōdai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall contains a 49 foot high bronze statue of the Vairocana Buddha, weighing 500 tonnes. 4.Tōdai-ji’s Great South Gate was built in the 14th century and is the largest wooden gate in Japan. 5.Tōdai-ji is also home to one of the world’s largest wooden lanterns, called Aka-dōrō, which stands over three metres tall. 6.In 2002, the Japanese government declared Tōdai-ji a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era