Located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Toshodaiji Temple is one of the Buddhist temples in Japan, founded in 759 by Ganjin, a Japanese Buddhist monk who came to Japan during the Nara Period. It is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ganjin is known to have introduced the Ritsu sect of Buddhism to Japan, and this temple has become a center for the transmission of his teachings. However, in the midst of this grand history, Toshodai-ji Temple is home to several mysteries and unsolved mysteries.

In this article, we will explore the mysteries surrounding Toshodaiji in detail.

Mystery of Toshodaiji Temple (1) Mystery of Ganjin’s Arrival and Founding of the Temple

One of the greatest mysteries of Toshodaiji Temple is the arrival of its founder, the monk Ganjin. Ganjin made several attempts to travel to Japan to introduce Buddhism, but he finally succeeded on his sixth trip in 759. His arrival in Japan in that year had a profound influence on the development of Buddhism during the Nara period. The episode of Ganjin’s sixth attempt to finally reach Japan has multiple important implications when we look deeper into his persistence and its meaning, including the following.

Ganjin was a high priest of the Tang Dynasty in China, and his arrival in Japan was finally successful after many failed attempts. This sixth success has left some mysteries unanswered.

During the Tang dynasty, the voyage from China to Japan was fraught with danger and many difficulties had to be overcome. Ganjin failed in his many attempts to travel, and even suffered the ordeal of losing his eyesight. Nevertheless, he never gave up and finally arrived in Japan. Ganjin’s six attempts and eventual success demonstrate his absolute faith in the teachings of Buddhism and his strong will to fulfill his mission. This strong will and mental strength were also deeply involved in the founding of Toshodaiji Temple.

What exactly lies behind Ganjin’s persistence? There was the importance of the propagation and spread of Buddhism. During the Nara period (710-794), Buddhism was spreading as a national religion in Japan, but the establishment of precepts was insufficient. Ganjin decided to travel to Japan to establish these precepts. This laid the foundation for the establishment of formal precepts in Japanese Buddhism and for the more systematic spread of Buddhist teachings. Furthermore, the background to Ganjin’s arrival in Japan was the cultural exchange between Japan and the Tang Dynasty at that time. During the Nara period (710-794), Japan actively introduced Tang culture and institutions. Ganjin’s arrival in Japan symbolizes the acceptance and development of Buddhist culture as part of this process. However, the true motive and background as to why Ganjin so strongly desired to travel to Japan are not fully understood.

The presence of Toshodaiji Temple symbolizes Ganjin’s influence in Japan. Ganjin was a Buddhist monk who respected the precepts and had a great influence on Japanese Buddhism of his time. Toshodaiji Temple, founded by Ganjin, played a central role in Japanese Buddhism. Ganjin’s actions were rooted in the Buddhist spirit of compassion and service. He sought to transmit the precepts for the benefit of Japanese Buddhists without regard for his own safety or health. This action is a strong demonstration of his service and compassion for others. Ganjin’s example shows how Buddhists should be committed to the service of others.

The Mystery of Toshodaiji Temple (2) The Mystery of Toshodaiji Temple Architecture

Several mysteries remain about the architecture of Toshodaiji Temple, due to materials lost in its long history and the uniqueness of the fusion of Chinese and Japanese architectural styles.

Kondo is considered one of the oldest Tenpyo buildings in Japan and is thought to have been built during the Nara period (710-794), but the exact date of construction and construction method are unknown. Due to the lack of records from the time of its construction, the details of how and what techniques and materials were used are not known.

Kondo has a unique structure, influenced by Chinese temple architecture but also incorporating traditional Japanese architectural styles. For example, the roof is a Chinese-style yosemune structure, but the framework supporting the eaves is the santeki kumimono style seen in Japanese temple architecture. This architectural blend of Japanese and Western styles is a valuable cultural heritage that conveys the cultural exchange between Japan and Tang China at that time.

The auditorium was once an important building along with Kondo, but it was destroyed by fire during the Kamakura period (1192-1333), and its detailed appearance is unknown. The loss of much information on the auditorium, including its size, structure, and interior decoration, is a great loss to the history of Toshodaiji.

The Mystery of Toshodaiji Temple (3):The Arrangement of Buddhist Statues in the Golden Hall of Toshodai-ji Temple

There are several important Buddhist statues enshrined in the Golden Hall of Toshodaiji Temple. Of these, the most notable is the seated image of Rushanabutsu. Although this statue is known as the principal image of Toshodaiji, many mysteries remain concerning its placement and the date of its creation.

First of all, it is believed that the seated Vairocana Buddha dates back to the middle of the Nara Period, but there are various theories as to when it was actually created. The relationship of its placement with other Buddhist statues is also shrouded in mystery. For example, the Kondo Hall also houses a statue of Yakushi Nyorai and a statue of Senju Kannon (the thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy), but there is no clear record of the purpose for which these statues were placed, or the order or meaning of their placement.

In addition, a seated statue of Wajo Ganjin is also preserved as an important cultural asset at Toshodaiji. This seated statue is considered the oldest portrait sculpture in Japan, and its realism and expressiveness overwhelm the viewer. The seated statue of Ganjin Wajo is believed to have been made shortly after his arrival in Japan, and is thought to be a faithful reproduction of his appearance during his lifetime. However, there are no detailed records of the creation of this seated statue, and the process of who created the sculpture and how is shrouded in mystery.

Many unanswered questions remain about Toshodaiji, including the arrival of its founder, Ganjin, the temple’s architecture, and the mysteries of its cultural heritage. Toshodaiji is not only a legacy of the past, but also a place that continues to influence many people today, and its study will continue to be an important issue in the future.