The Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji
Emperor Shōmu had the colossal Buddha Vairocana cast to protect the country. The statue has been repaired many times after fires and earthquakes.
The hand is raised in a gesture meaning “do not fear” – a mudra.
In 743 Emperor Shōmu decreed that a gigantic bronze Buddha should be cast. The country had been struck by epidemics, famine and rebellion, and the emperor hoped that the Buddha would protect the state. The statue was placed in the temple of Tōdai-ji in the capital, Nara, which became the centre of a network of provincial temples throughout the country. It was consecrated in 752 at a great ceremony in which an Indian monk painted in the eyes.
The statue represents the Buddha Vairocana, Birushana in Japanese, the cosmic Buddha who, according to the teaching, illuminates the entire universe. He sits in the lotus position on a large lotus throne. His right hand is raised with the palm facing outwards in a gesture meaning “do not fear”. His left hand rests in his lap with the palm upwards, a gesture of giving. The statue is about fifteen metres tall.
The casting was one of the largest technical projects in Japanese history. The statue was cast in several stages, in horizontal sections, using clay moulds. Enormous quantities of copper and tin were needed, and thousands of workers took part. After casting, the statue was gilded with gold dissolved in mercury and then heated. The process was toxic and probably caused illness among the workers.
The statue has been damaged many times. The head fell off in an earthquake in the 9th century. The statue and the temple burned in 1180 during a civil war and again in 1567. The present head dates from the 17th century, and much of the body has been repaired. Parts of the original lotus throne, engraved with images of Buddhist worlds, survive.
The building that shelters the statue, the Daibutsuden, is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world. The present hall dates from the early 18th century and is smaller than the original. The light in the hall is subdued, and the statue only comes into view as one enters through the gate, which makes its size overwhelming.
The statue had political significance. It demonstrated the strength of imperial power and made Buddhism a matter of state. The monk Gyōki, who was popular among ordinary people, was given the task of collecting contributions, which shows that the project was also meant to have popular support. The temple’s name means “Great Eastern Temple”. Many objects donated to the temple after Emperor Shōmu’s death are still kept today in the Shōsōin treasure house at Tōdai-ji.
Tōdai-ji and the statue are now part of the Nara World Heritage Site. The temple is visited by millions of people, and the Great Buddha is one of Japan’s best-known sights. It remains a living object of worship, and ceremonies are held regularly. The deer in the park outside have also become part of the visit.