Horyu-ji Temple

Horyu-ji (Temple of the Flourishing Dharma) is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples, in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan.

Its full name is Horyu Gakumonji, or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as both a seminary and monastery.

The temple was founded by Prince Shotoku in 607, but according to the Nihon Shoki, in 670 all buildings were burned down by lightning. However, reconstructed at least 1,300 years ago, the main hall (Kondo) is widely recognized as the world's oldest wooden building.

Grand South Gate (Namdaimon). The main approach to the Horyuji Temple complex is a broad avenue of majestic pine trees leading up to this elegant eight-pillar gate. This gate was once situated near the Middle Gate but was moved when the temple was expanded. Fire destroyed the original structure in 1435, but it was rebuilt shortly afterwards in 1438. Unique architectural features of the gate include flower-shaped decorative bracket arms and the carved end-nosings of the head rail.

Hall for the Fire Ritual (Goma-do). The homa (goma) ritual of consecrated fire is found in some Buddhist traditions of Tibet, China and Japan. Its roots are the Vedic ritual, it evokes Buddhist deities, and is performed by qualified Buddhist priests. In some Buddhist homa traditions, such as in Japan, the central deity invoked in this ritual is usually Acalanatha (Fudo Myoo, lit. immovable wisdom king). Acalanatha is another name for the god Rudra in the Vedic tradition, for Vajrapani or Chakdor in Tibetan traditions, and of Sotshirvani in Siberia. The Acala Homa ritual procedure follows the same Vedic protocols found in Hinduism, with offerings into the fire by priests who recite mantras being the main part of the ritual and the devotees clap hands as different rounds of hymns have been recited. In most Shingon temples, this ritual is performed daily in the morning or the afternoon, and is a requirement for all acharyas to learn this ritual upon entering the priesthood. See more at Homa (ritual) - Wikipedia.

Horyu-ji Temple map. Horyuji contains over 2,300 important cultural and historical structures and articles, including nearly 190 that have been designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. In December of 1993, Horyuji, as a unique storehouse of world Buddhist culture, became the first treasure of any kind in Japan to be selected by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage.

Western Precinct

Purification Trough of Western Precinct (Saiin Chozuya). The Chinese dragon, also known as the loong, long or lung, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles and fish, but are most commonly depicted as snake-like with four legs. They traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers, particularly control over water. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it in East Asian culture. In Chinese culture, excellent and outstanding people are compared to a dragon, while incapable people with no achievements are compared to other, disesteemed creatures, such as a worm. The impression of dragons in a large number of Asian countries has been influenced by Chinese culture, such as in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. See more at Chinese dragon - Wikipedia.

Central Gate, Niomon (Chumon). This magnificent Middle Gate marks the entrance to the inner temple area where the Five-storied Pagoda and Main Hall are located. Two fierce guardian deities known as Kongo Rikishi (Nio) flank the gate. These statues were erected to protect the temple and have stood guard for more than a thousand years. There are actually two entrances to the Western Precinct within the gate. They stand side by side, forming what is known as a “split entrance.” The entrance is said to reflect the positioning of the buildings within the precinct. It is also said that unlike other temples of the time period, in which the buildings stood in a straight line, one behind the other, the Main Hall and the Five-storied Pagoda at Horyuji stand side-by-side, almost as if mirrored by the gate’s split entrance design. There is a pillar in the middle of the gate, which is unusual, but it is thought to be there because an extra pillar was required to support the large size of the structure. Other features of the gate include its large, overhanging eaves and a complex system of brackets designed to support them. These brackets are in the shape of clouds, a feature unique to the architectural style of the Asuka period (593–710).

Nio guardians. Nio are two wrathful and muscular guardians of the Buddha standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in East Asian Buddhism in the form of frightening wrestler-like statues. They are usually portrayed as a pair of figures that stand guarding temple entrance gates usually called Shanmen in China, Niomon in Japan and Geumgangmun in Korea. The right statue (top) is traditionally called Guhyapada and has his mouth open, representing the vocalization of the first grapheme of Sanskrit Devanagari which is pronounced "a". The left statue (bottom) is traditionally called Narayana and has his mouth closed, representing the vocalization of the last grapheme of Devanagari which is pronounced "hum". These two characters together (a-hum/a-un) symbolize the birth and death of all things. (Men are supposedly born speaking the "a" sound with mouths open and die speaking an "hum" and mouths closed.) Similar to Jaya-Vijaya, they signify "everything" or "all creation". The contraction of both is Aum. See more at Nio - Wikipedia.

Western Precinct (Saiin Garan). The pine tree seen on the left side was planted by Emperor Showa (1901-1989). The pine tree seen on the right side was planted by Empress Kojun (1903-2000).

Five Story Pagoda (Gojunoto). This Five-storied Pagoda is the oldest pagoda of this type in Japan and one of the oldest surviving wooden towers in the world. It was erected during the Asuka period (593–710) to enshrine sacred relics of the Buddha. A portion of these remains are said to be entombed about three meters below the base of the pagoda today. The pagoda is approximately 32.5 meters tall from the base and its central pillar is made from a Japanese cypress tree felled in 594. This pillar runs through the tower’s five tiers which use flexible wooden joints to help the structure absorb the seismic energy of Japan’s frequent earthquakes. A unique feature of the pagoda, and one of the “seven mysteries” of Horyuji, are the scythes attached to the uppermost roof. Lightning was once considered a celestial monster, so swords and implements with sharp edges were added to the pagoda as it was said that this would prevent the celestial monsters from alighting on them. The pagoda was struck by lightning during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), but was unharmed. Later, talismans were hung on each level to protect against future strikes. Today lightning rods protect the building.

Main Hall (Kondo). This Main Hall, or Kondo, is the world’s oldest extant wooden structure and enshrines the temple’s most important treasures. The artworks in the Main Hall include three canopies hanging from the ceiling adorned with phoenixes and celestial beings holding musical instruments from Central Asia. A seated statue of Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha), which was built in the likeness of Shotoku Taishi, is located under the central canopy is and flanked by two attendants. A seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine, rests under the eastern canopy. This statue was installed in memory of Emperor Yomei, who had been suffering from illness. A statue of Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of the Pure Land, is located under the western canopy and is flanked by two attendants. This triad was installed to honor Shotoku’s mother, Empress Anahobe no Hashihito.

Bronze lantern (Dai-doro). Originating in China, stone lanterns spread to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, though they are most commonly found in both China – extant in Buddhist temples and traditional Chinese gardens – and Japan. In Japan, toro were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths. Lit lanterns were then considered an offering to Buddha. The oldest extant bronze and stone lanterns in Japan can be found in Nara. Toro can be classified in two main types: tsuri-doro (lit. 'hanging lamp'), which usually hang from the eaves of a roof, and dai-doro (lit. 'platform lamp'), used in gardens and along the approach (sand) of a shrine or temple. The two most common types of dai-doro are the bronze lantern and the stone lantern, which look like hanging lanterns laid to rest on a pedestal.

Grand Lecture Hall (Daikodo). The single-storied Great Lecture Hall stands between the Bell Tower (Shoro), located on its east side, and the Sutra Repository (Kyozo), which is located to the west. The building was used by priests as a place to study and it also once served as a refectory. The Great Lecture Hall and the Bell Tower were destroyed in 925 in a fire caused by a lightning strike. The Great Lecture Hall was rebuilt in 990 to enshrine Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing.

Yakushi (Sakyamuni) triad and Four Heavenly Guardians. Among the notable Buddhist statues housed within the hall is the seated Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing, cast when the hall was rebuilt. The statue is about 2.5 meters tall and is flanked by Nikko and Gakko, a pair of bodhisattvas which represent sunlight and moonlight. The Yakushi triad is a National treasure from the Heian Period: end of 8th - late 12th c. The Four Heavenly Guardians are Important cultural property from the Heian Period: end of 8th - late 12th c. There is also a pair of elevated seats for priests to use during temple ceremonies.

Grand Lecture Hall (Daikodo) and Bell Tower (Shoro). The Bell Tower is on the east side of the Great Lecture Hall. The original structure was destroyed by fire in 925 along with the Great Lecture Hall. A bronze temple bell cast in the Nara period (710–794) hangs in the tower. The bell is rung to signal the start of services conducted by the temple priests. Temple priests also ring the bell during major temple events.

Sutra Repository (Kyozo). This structure was originally built to store sutras (Buddhist scriptures), but now houses a seated statue of Kanroku Sojo, a seventh-century priest who is said to have come to Japan in 602 from Paekche, one of the three ancient kingdoms of the Korean Peninsula. According to the Nihon Shoki [Chronicles of Japan], Kanroku also first introduced astronomy and the lunar calendar to Japan. The Sutra Repository is believed to have contained one of the temple’s three sets of underground depositories, or fukuzo. The depositories are said to have held enough wealth and treasure to rebuild Horyuji Temple in the event of a disaster. The earliest extant Sutra Repository (Kyozo) is at Horyu-ji, and it is a two-storied structure. See more at Kyozo - Wikipedia.

Sacred Spirit Hall (Shoryoin). The Shoryoin is a temple dedicated to the worship of Shotoku Taishi (574–622). It was also used as living quarters for priests in the Nara period (710–794). This long and narrow building, aligned on a north to south axis, stands to the east of the Western Precinct. The southern third of the building was renovated in 1121, but the remaining two-thirds retain much of its original appearance. The Shoryoin enshrines a statue of Shotoku Taishi along with statues of his attendants, all of which are said to date back to 1121. The statues of Jizo Bosatsu and Nyoirin Kannon date from the beginning and the end of the Heian period (794–1185) respectively.

Storehouse (Kofuzo).

Great Treasure Gallery. The Great Treasure Gallery was built in 1998. The center of the building contains a hall which enshrines a statue of Kudara Kannon, and there are galleries to the east and west of the central hall. These two galleries house many important artifacts including a statue of Yumechigai Kannon, the Tamamushi no Zushi altar, the Lady Tachibana altar, and statues of Shotoku Taishi (574–622).

Eastern Precinct

Great East Gate. The stately East Gate connects the temple’s Western and Eastern Precincts. Its origin is unclear, but artifacts discovered during repairs in 1934 show that it was once a gate facing south on the east side of Kagami Pond and was later moved in the Heian period (794–1185) to be a gate that allowed for east-west passage. The East Gate is a remarkable example of Nara period (710–794) architecture, and it is supported by three ridgepoles on both sides and in the center.

Four Legged Gate (Toin Shikyakumon).

Purification Trough of Eastern Precinct.

Covered Corridor of the Eastern Precinct (Toin Kairo).

Hall of Dreams (Toin Yumedono). The octagonal Yumedono, or Hall of Dreams, is one of Horyuji Temple’s most impressive buildings. The scholar-priest Gyoshin Sozu commissioned its construction in 739 as a monument to Shotoku Taishi. The building was constructed on the site of the prince’s private palace, where he lived until his death in 622. The Hall of Dreams derives its name from a legend that a golden Buddha once appeared to Shotoku Taishi in a dream. A shining jewel sits atop the roof in the shape of a reliquary. Japan adopted the construction of octagonal wooden halls for use as memorial chapels and the Hall of Dreams is one such example. Memorial services honoring Shotoku Taishi are held in the building, which houses the Kuse Kannon, a statue built in the likeness of Shotoku Taishi and considered to be a masterpiece of seventh-century Buddhist art. The Kuse Kannon is believed to have the power to save people from suffering. Other important statues in the hall are a Nara period (710–794) dry-lacquer statue of the priest Gyoshin Sozu and a Heian period (794–1185) clay statue of the Dosen Risshi, a priest who renovated the Hall of Dreams during the Heian period.

Bell Tower of the Eastern Precinct (Toin Shoro). The Bell House of the Eastern Precinct is constructed in a trapezoidal form known as "spreading skirt" (hakamagoshi). Within it hangs a Nara-period bell that has the words "Chuguji" (Chugu Temple) engraved on the inside, indicating that it has been in the possession of at least one other temple over its more than 1,000-year existence.

Leaving Horyu-ji Temple.

Sources

• Hōryū-ji - Wikipedia
• Hōryūji Temple - Homepage

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