Saidai-ji

Saidai-ji (西大寺) or the "Great Western Temple" is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple was 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, took over administration in 1238.^[1]

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]

Saidai-ji stands close to Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line.

See also

• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
• List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-others)

External links

• "Saidai-ji Temple Homepage" (in Japanese). http://www.naranet.co.jp/saidaiji/. Retrieved 2010-02-05. 

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Watt, Paul B. (March 8, 1999). "Chapter 7: Eison and the Shingon Vinaya Sect". In Tanabe, George. Religions of Japan in Practice. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691057893.