Archive for the ‘Japan’ Category

A Triumvirate of Temples at Nara

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Part III: Toshodai-ji: T’ang Buddhist Monastery

In the final part of our series on the great temples of Nara, we look at the picturesque precinct of Toshodai-ji temple and the flowering of cultural ties that began to flourish between Japan and China during the Nara Period

Toshodai-ji's Main Hall (Kondo)

The temple of Toshodai-ji is little-known to foreign visitors, yet it played a significant role in the development of Buddhist doctrine from the second half of the 8th century AD onwards. (more…)

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A Triumvirate of Temples at Nara

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Part II: Todai-ji

In this the second part of my exploration of the ancient Japanese capital city of Nara, we pay a visit to the magnificent precinct of the temple of Todai-ji, the showcase and guiding force behind the imperial statewide system of Buddhist temples in 8th century Japan.

The majority of visitors to the parklands of Nara tend to gravitate towards the monumental temple precinct of Todai-ji. Most enter through the main southern gateway, which was re-built in the Chinese classical style in 1199. Inside this imposing structure stand two powerful and energetic statues of the “Kongo Rikishi”, the “Guardian Kings of the Faith”. (more…)

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A Triumvirate of Temples at Nara

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010

In this series of postings I’ll be exploring three of my favourite temple-destinations in and around Nara, a magnificent (and often overlooked) tourist destination and the former ancient capital of Japan.

Part I: Horyu-ji

The Japanese drew considerable political, religious and cultural inspiration from the peoples on the Asian mainland, not least in their adoption of Buddhism and the Chinese system writing. By the late fifth century AD, the teachings of Buddha Sakyamuni had spread from India as far the distant shores of Korea, and it is around this time that we see the first signs of Buddhism filtering into Japanese society. (more…)

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The Shogun’s Silver Pavilion Paradise

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Ginkaku-ji – The Shogun’s Silver Pavilion Paradise

Leaving the temple precinct of Nanzen-ji in central Kyoto, I headed north on foot along the pretty canal-side path that is now more famously known as the Philosopher’s Walk. Come springtime, this delightful walkway is one of the city’s most popular venues for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing parties. This early in the morning the path was eerily quiet, though pleasantly so, allowing me ample time to reflect on my memorable visit the previous day to Kinkaku-ji and its fabulous “Golden Pavilion”. My plan was to arrive at Ginkaku-ji, the “Temple of the Silver Pavilion”, in plenty of time to beat the crowds and to absorb the beauty of its gardens in peaceful solitude.

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