Hokke-dō (Tōdai-ji)

Hokkedō from west northwest

Hokke-dō ( Japanese 法華堂 ), also called "March Hall" ( 三月堂 Sangatsudō ), is an old place of prayer in Nara that belongs to the Tōdai-ji . It is known for its prayer room, in which an extensive group of saints is set up, the oldest figures of which date from the Tempyō period (8th century).

Overview

The construction is estimated to be between 740 and 759. The Hokke-dō is the oldest building of Todaiji temple complex and as a National Treasure registered and part of the UNESCO - World Heritage Site . Because of its main character, the Fukūkenshaku Kannon, the small hall was also called Kenshakudō, but since the Hokkekai is held there every year on March 16 of the lunar calendar, it was given its current name.

The building consists of a rear building and the front prayer hall. Originally it was a double hall, but the prayer hall was rebuilt in 1199 under Priest Chōgen (1121-1206). Originally the group of figures consisted of eight figures, to which eight more were added over time.

Group of saints

The individual figures

( ⦿ = national treasure , ◎ = important cultural asset of Japan )

Fukūkenshaku Kannon

No.	Name German	Japanese name	Dimensions [cm]	material	period	comment
01	⦿ Fukūkenshaku Kannon	不空羂索観音	362	Dry paint	Tempyō	Main character ( 本尊 )
02	⦿ Bon-th	梵天	402	dito	dito
03	⦿ Taishaku-ten	帝釈天	403	dito	dito
04th	⦿ Congo rikishi	金剛力士	306	dito	dito	with closed mouth ( 吽形 )
05	⦿ Congo rikishi	金剛力士	326	dito	dito	with open mouth ( 阿形 )
06th	⦿ Jikoku-ten	持国天	309	dito	dito	One of the four kings of the sky
07th	⦿ Zōchō-th	増長天	300	dito	dito	One of the four kings of the sky
08th	⦿ Kōmoku-ten	広目天	304	dito	dito	One of the four kings of the sky
09	⦿ Tamon-ten	多聞天	310	dito	dito	One of the four kings of the sky
10	⦿ Shukongō-jin	執金剛神	170	dito	dito
11	⦿ Nikko-bosatsu	日光菩薩	207	dito	dito	Guy not sure
12	⦿ Gekkō-bosatsu	月光菩薩	204	dito	dito	Guy not sure
13	◎ Kichijō-ten	吉祥天	202	dito	dito
14th	◎ Benzai-th	弁財天	219	dito	dito
15th	◎ Jizō-bosatsu	地蔵菩薩	84	Wood	Kamakura
16	◎ Fudō-myōō	不動明王	86	Wood	Muromachi

Explanations of the figures

List of saints

Fukūkenshaku Kannon , in Sanskrit Amoghapāśa , has three eyes and eight hands ( 三目八臂 , sammoku happi ). One attribute is the snare ( 羂索 ) in one hand. The Kannon wears a silver crown with precious stones and has a deer skin ( 鹿皮 , shikagawa ) over the shoulder. It is therefore also called Shikagawa Kannon .
Bon-ten and Taishaku-ten belong to the group of the sky lords.
The two Kongō-rikishi , also called Niō, are often paired guards in temple gates.
The four kings of heaven protect the altar in the four directions. In order not to cover up the central cult figure or to be covered by it, Jikoku-ten (attribute: sword) is in the southeast, Zōchō-ten (attribute: lance) in the southwest, Kōmoku-ten (attribute: scroll and brush) in the northwest , Tamon-ten (attribute: small treasure pyramid) in the northeast.
Shukongō-jin wears armor and a lance in defense of Buddhism. It is similar to the Kongō-rikishi or the Niō.
Nikkō-bosatsu (sunlit) and Gekkō-bosatsu (moonlight) are two bodhisattva who usually flank a central figure. They usually hold a lotus flower in their hands and their head is typically turned slightly outwards. These attributes are missing here, so the assignment is not certain.
Kichijō-ten and Benzai-ten are two female deities.
Jizō- bosatsu is the protector of hikers and children.
Fudō-myōō is one of the sky gods. He is often depicted with a chain and in his hands in front of a flame background

Image selection

Hokke-dō from the west
Hokke-do from the south
Shūkongō-
shin
Gekkō-bosatsu
Kōmoku-ten

Web links

Entry on the UNESCO World Heritage Center website ( English and French ).

literature

Leaflet of the Hokkedō.
N. Nozawa (Ed.): Nara-ken no rekishi sampo (jo). Yamakawa Shuppan, 2010, ISBN 978-4-634-24629-4 .
Takeshi Hisano: Butsuzō junrei jiten. Yamakawa shuppa, 1986, ISBN 4-634-60180-X .

34.688741 135.844031Coordinates: 34 ° 41 ′ 19.5 ″ N , 135 ° 50 ′ 38.5 ″ E