Daan Temple is a famous temple in Japanese history and archaeological history. It is one of the seven famous temples in Nandu, and has always been the "pen head" temple, that is, the leader of the temples. But now most Japanese people are not familiar with it, let alone foreigner

Daan Temple is a famous temple in Japanese history and archaeological history. It is one of the seven famous temples in Nandu, and has always been the "pen head" temple, that is, the leader of the temples. But now most Japanese people are not familiar with it, let alone foreigners. Why? . Because the life experience of Daanji Temple is very twists and turns. In fact, the historical Daanji Temple no longer exists, leaving only a series of ruins. The current Daanji Temple can be said to have inherited the name of the historical Daanji Temple and some cultural heritage. Today, the temple in Nara Not particularly famous.

So, what is the importance of Daan Temple? First of all, it is one of the earliest temples in Japan, and its history is earlier than Horyujiji.. Secondly, , because the capital of Japan moved many times at that time, the most important temples also moved with them, leaving a series of ruins behind. However, the most amazing thing is . The number of times this temple has been relocated, the scale of previous constructions, and the speed of burning down after completion are also unmatched by other temples... Because of this complexity, although Daan Temple is very important, the context of historical records But it's not very clear. Fortunately, in modern times, archaeologists have conducted inferences and excavations of the ruins. The scale of the ruins and the scale of the individual buildings once again shocked the world. While archaeological excavations have answered some questions, they have also raised many more. These are fully introduced in the book "Fantasy Temple" written by archaeologist Toshito Teragawa.

For some reason, I feel that the fate of this temple is similar to that of the Yongning Temple Pagoda of the Northern and Southern Dynasties in Chinese history. However, it was not burned down once, but many times...the name of the Temple of Fantasy It truly lives up to its name—nothing too magnificent can last forever.

The current (these three words were added by the editor) Daanji Temple is a Shingon sect temple located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Daan Temple has a large number of Buddhist cultural relics, including Buddhist statues, Buddhist paintings, Buddhist utensils and architectural components.

Daanji Temple

It is said that Daanji Temple began with Xiongning Temple, a Buddhist temple built by Prince Shotoku in Xiongning Village to extend the emperor's life. Prince Shotoku , born in 574 and died in 622, was a thinker and politician in the Asuka period of Japan, and the second son of Emperor Yongmei. Prince Shotoku believed in Buddhism and vigorously promoted Buddhism during his reign. He once announced the great spread of Buddhism in the world and immediately sent monks to the Sui Dynasty to learn Buddhism. At the same time, he built large temples such as Horyuji Temple and Shitennoji Temple in Nara and other places. From then on, Buddhism was Became popular in Japan.

Historical renderings of Daan Temple

Later, this temple was renamed Baekje Daesa Temple, Goshi Daesa Temple, and Daeguan Daesa Temple. Later, it was moved to the location of Sakyo Rokujo and Shichijo Sibo due to the relocation of the capital Pingchengkyo , around the 8th century AD, it was named "Daan Temple" in order to pray for the arrival of peace and for all people in the world to live happily.

Daanji Temple is majestic and is as famous as Todaiji and Saidaiji Temple. It is also called "Nandaji Temple". It is also known as the Seven Great Temples of Nandu together with Kofukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, Yakushijiji, etc.

"The Account of the Origin and Account of the Garan of Daanji", Nara Period (8th century), collected by the National Museum of History and Folklore, an important cultural property of Japan

The Account of the Origin and Account of the Garam records the history, Buddhist statues, and Buddhas of Daanji Temple. It is one of the few ancient temple historical materials of all major temples, including their tools and territories.

Daan Temple has long occupied the position of the No. 1 temple in Heijo Kyo during the Nara period, with magnificent buildings and exquisite statues. At that time, Daan Temple had two seven-story pagodas in the east and west. Among the seven major temples in Nandu, only Todaiji Temple and Daanji Temple have seven-story pagodas. Famous monks such as the Indian monk Bodhisena, who opened the eyes of the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, converted to Daianji Temple and played an important role in the history of Japanese Buddhism.

After entering the Heian era , Daan Temple gradually declined. In the fire of 1017 (the first year of Kuanren), the main halls and towers were burned down and were not rebuilt. The existing Daan Temple halls were all built from the end of modern times to modern times, and their scale has been significantly reduced. The existing jialan in the courtyard includes the main hall, the Xi hall, the Zanyang hall and the south gate.

Sumi wood decorative gold tools and iron nails, unearthed from the Okandaiji Temple site, Asuka Period (7th-8th century), collected by the Nara Institute of Cultural Properties

The object shown in the picture above is a large ornate decorative metal piece installed on the front end of the roof Sumi wood. pieces and make the nail heads into long flower-shaped nails. This shows the high status of the predecessor temple, Daikan Daiji Temple, built in Asuka Land.

Iakata Pottery figurine , 5th century (Tufun Period), Nara City designated cultural property

Daianji Temple built a garland in the corner of Sakyo at the same time as the capital was moved to Heijo Kyo. The pottery figurine shown above is a large pottery figurine unearthed from a round tomb located in front of the temple area.

Fudaku, excavated from the old site of Daianji Temple, Heian Period (9th century), Nara City Buried Cultural Property Survey Center

In the past, the Daianji Pagoda was a seven-story twin pagoda, second only to the Todaiji Pagoda in size. The tower is tall and gilded, showing its majesty. The exhibit pictured above is the Feng Duo hanging on the Xianglun of the West Tower.

Gold and copper openwork relic container, Kamakura - Northern and Southern Dynasties, Nara Saidaiji Temple, Japanese National Treasure

This gold and copper openwork relic container has exquisite openwork carving, which is the highest masterpiece of relic container. This relic container was once placed in Daanji Temple.

The nine existing Buddha statues in Daan Temple are regarded as one of the most representative wooden statues of the Nara period. Although the main Buddha "Sakyamuni Buddha" no longer exists, it is said to be superior to the "Yakushi Buddha" of Horyuji Temple, which is now a national treasure of Japan. "Seated Statue" and profoundly influenced the production of Buddhist statues in Japan from ancient times to the Middle Ages.

In the main hall of Daanji Temple: the eleven-faced Avalokitesvara statue is enshrined in the hall, which was revived in the Meiji era (1868-1911); the standing statue of Horse-headed Avalokitesvara is enshrined in the Xidang hall, which was revived in the Heisei era (1989-present); In the Zanyang Hall, that is, the Treasure Hall, the Buddha Guanyin, Yangliu Guanyin, , Holy Guanyin and the Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined. It was revived in the Showa and era (1926-1989).

Standing statue of Eleven-faced Guanyin

Standing statue of Eleven-faced Guanyin, Nara Period (8th century), Daianji Temple in Nara, important cultural property of Japan

Standing statue of Eleven-faced Guanyin is the secret Buddha in the main hall of Daanji Temple. Although the head is an afterthought, the well-proportioned body shape shows the characteristics of Nara period statues. The clothing and jewelry are exquisitely carved and heavily influenced by Chinese and Tang dynasty Buddha statues. According to local media reports in Japan, the eleven-faced Guanyin statue has been exhibited for the first time in 100 years.

Standing statue of Horse-headed Guanyin

Standing statue of Horse-headed Guanyin, Nara period (8th century), Daianji Temple in Nara, important cultural property of Japan

This standing statue is a secret Buddha placed in the hall of Daanji Temple. Judging from the angry expression and the snakes wrapped around the breast ornaments and ankles, it is highly likely that it was built as Horse-Headed Guanyin from the beginning. The six arms and bun extending from the body were later additions.

Standing statue of Yangliu Guanyin

Standing statue of Yangliu Guanyin, Nara Period (8th century), Daianji Temple, Nara, important cultural property of Japan

This standing statue has been pointed out to be similar in style to the eleven-faced standing statue of Guanyin. The face has an angry expression, the clothes are in the style of a Bodhisattva, and the original name is unknown. It is possible that it is an early esoteric statue imported from the Nara period.

"Statue of Shakya Tathagata", Heian Period (12th century), Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japanese National Treasure

This work depicts Shakya Tathagata wearing a gorgeous vermilion coat. It is a masterpiece representing Heian Buddhist painting.The graceful and ideal posture reflects the Daian-ji Sakyamuni Buddha statue that was standardized by many Sakyamuni statues during the Heian period.

"Kusa Mandala", Heian Period (12th century), Todaiji Temple in Nara, Japanese National Treasure

This is a portrait depicting the statues of the Kusa sect, one of the six sects of Nanto.. The Sakyamuni Buddha in the center is a Buddhist painting from Todaiji Temple during the Nara period. Its image is basically the same as the Sakyamuni Buddha statue seen in records at Daian Temple.

"Buddha's Nirvana Picture", the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, Kang'ei 4th year (1345), Tokyo Nezu Museum of Art

This work shows the scene of Sakyamuni 's Nirvana under the two Sara trees. The artist of this painting belongs exclusively to Kofukuji Temple. As a Buddhist painter at the Daanji Painting Studio, he is also responsible for the production of Daanji Buddhist paintings influenced by Kofukuji Temple.

Daanji Temple was also the most international Buddhist temple in Japan at that time, attracting monks from all over Japan and even overseas such as Bodhisena, Kukai, and Saicho. In its heyday, the number of monks could reach 1,000, witnessing the spread and development of Buddhist culture in the Nara period. .

Statue of Lawyer Doji, Muromachi Period (14th to 15th century), Nara National Museum

Lawyer Doji studied at Ximeiji Temple in Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty and contributed to the construction of Daanji Temple after returning to China. This work was introduced to the E'an Temple of the Eda clan, the clan from which Doji was born, in the form of a frame opposite the regent portrait of Prince Shotoku.

Standing statue of Hoshi, the Buddhist monk, , Heian Period (11th century), Seikoji Temple, Kyoto

This standing statue shows the Chinese monk Hoshi with the eleven-faced Kannon appearing on his face. It is said that there used to be a statue of Hoshi with the same posture in Daanji Temple.

Seated statue of the lawyer Gyokyo, from the Heian period (9th century), Kyoto's Jingenji Temple.

It is said to be a statue of the monk Gyokyo of Daianji Temple who founded Ishikimizu Hachimangu Shrine. This cultural relic is a wooden statue with a majestic sense of volume.

In addition, it is said that Emperor Mitsuhito , who ascended the throne at an advanced age in the Nara period of Japan, gained health and longevity by drinking warm wine in a bamboo tube. Therefore, Daanji Temple holds the "Bamboo Sake Festival" event every year on the anniversary of the death of Emperor Konin, also known as the "Konin Society". The Guangren Meeting Day is held on January 23 every year. On that day, Daan Temple will hold a prayer ceremony in the main hall to eliminate disasters, eliminate diseases, and achieve health and longevity. For drivers and non-drinkers, Daanji Temple also prepares "bamboo water".

Pottery pillow, unearthed from the old site of Daan Temple, Chinese Tang Dynasty (8th century), collected by the Nara Institute of Cultural Properties

It is said that the monk Doji who participated in the construction of Daan Temple brought back a large number of Tang Sancai from the Tang Dynasty. After using a mold to press the treasures, Chinese characters, etc., and then coloring them with three-color glaze, we also made a native Japanese pottery pillow that imitated Tang Sancai.