Toshodai-ji Temple

Description:

• This lovely temple, the headquarters of Buddhism's Ritsu sect was established in 759 AD by Ganjin, the famous priest of the Tang dynasty era. The shodai in the name connotes a place for Buddhist teaching shared with an enlightened human, Saint Ganjin. As a reward for not returning to his home in China, Emperor Shomu gave a land grant to Ganjin. The many buildings in the complex have characteristic Tempyo-style tiled roofs. In the Kaisando is a well-known statue of Ganjin by one of his disciples, which dates to 763 AD.
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