Saidai-ji (西大寺) or the "Great Western Temple" is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple was first established in AD 765 as a counterpart to Tōdai-ji and it is the main temple of the Shingon Risshu (真言律宗) sect of Buddhism after the sect's founder, Eison (叡尊), took over administration in 1238.[1] It has undergone several reconstruction efforts since then during the succeeding centuries.

Saidai-ji
西大寺
Religion
AffiliationShingon Ritsu
DeityShaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni)
(Important Cultural Property)
StatusHead Temple
Location
Location1-1-5 Saidaiji Shibachō, Nara, Nara Prefecture
CountryJapan
Geographic coordinates34°41′37″N 135°46′46.2″E / 34.69361°N 135.779500°E / 34.69361; 135.779500
Architecture
FounderJōtō and Empress Kōken
Date established765
Completed1808 (Reconstruction)
Website
saidaiji.or.jp

One building, the Aizen-dō, houses a statue of Aizen Myō-ō, while the main image is of Shakyamuni Buddha, erected by Eison in 1249.[1]

Building list

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  • Main Hall (Hondō – 本堂) – Important Cultural Property. It was rebuilt in 1808.
  • Shiō-dō (四王堂) – It was rebuilt in 1674.
  • Aizen-dō (愛染堂) – It was reconstructed in 1762.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Watt, Paul B. (March 8, 1999). "Chapter 7: Eison and the Shingon Vinaya Sect". In Tanabe, George (ed.). Religions of Japan in Practice. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-05789-3.
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