Nanto Shichi Daiji
Encyclopedia
Nanto Shichi Daiji literally "the seven great temples of Nanto (synonym of Nara
)" is a historical common name generally referring to the powerful and influential seven Buddhist temple
s located in Nara
. Although as to which temples were included under this naming has fluctuated as there were rise and fall in their power, it was the followings at early stage, which are all originally built by imperial order
Sometimes the temples were called "the fifteen great temples of Nanto" too, including other prestigious temples such as Tōshōdai-ji
(唐招提寺) and Hokke-ji
(法華寺).
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
)" is a historical common name generally referring to the powerful and influential seven Buddhist temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
s located in Nara
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
. Although as to which temples were included under this naming has fluctuated as there were rise and fall in their power, it was the followings at early stage, which are all originally built by imperial order
- Daian-jiDaian-jiwas founded during the Asuka period and is one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, Japan.-History:The Nihon Shoki records the founding of the , predecessor of the Daian-ji, in 639 during the reign of Emperor Jomei. A nine story pagoda was added shortly afterwards...
(大安寺) - Gangō-jiGango-jiis an ancient Buddhist temple, that was once one of the powerful Nanto Shichi Daiji, in Nara, Japan.-History:The original foundation of the temple was by Soga no Umako in Asuka, as Asuka-dera...
(元興寺) - Hōryū-jiHōryū-jiis a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
(法隆寺) (located off the border of today NaraNara, Narais the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
, in the town of Ikaruga, NaraIkaruga, Narais a town located in Ikoma District, Nara, Japan.Ikaruga is home to Hōryū-ji and Hokki-ji, ancient Buddhist temples collectively inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage. Other ancient temples include Hōrin-ji, also in the vicinity of Hōryū-ji....
) - Kōfuku-jiKofuku-jiis a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple is the national headquarters of the Hossō school and is one of the eight Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.-History:...
(興福寺) - Saidai-jiSaidai-jiSaidai-ji 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 sect of Buddhism after the sect's founder, Eison, took over administration in...
(西大寺) - Tōdai-jiTodai-ji, is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall , the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu . The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the ...
(東大寺) - Yakushi-jiYakushi-jiis one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, located in Nara. The temple is the headquarters of the Hossō school of Japanese Buddhism...
(薬師寺)
Sometimes the temples were called "the fifteen great temples of Nanto" too, including other prestigious temples such as Tōshōdai-ji
Toshodai-ji
Tōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Ritsu sect in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Classic Golden Hall, also known as the kondō, has a single story, hipped tiled roof with a seven bay wide facade. It is considered the archetype of "classical style."It was founded by a Chinese...
(唐招提寺) and Hokke-ji
Hokke-ji
, is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nara, Japan.Hokke-ji was built by Empress Kōmyō in 745, originally as a nunnery temple on the grounds where previously her father Fujiwara no Fuhito's mansion stood. According to records kept by the temple, the initial construction went on until around...
(法華寺).
See also
- For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese BuddhismGlossary of Japanese BuddhismThis is the glossary of Japanese Buddhism, including major terms the casual reader might find useful in understanding articles on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries...
.