Saidai-ji (西大寺) or the "Great Western Temple" is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple was first established in AD 765 as a counterpart to Tōdai-ji and it is the main temple of the Shingon Risshu (真言律宗) sect of Buddhism after the sect's founder, Eison (叡尊), took over administration in 1238.[1] It has undergone several reconstruction efforts since then during the succeeding centuries.
| Saidai-ji 西大寺 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shingon Ritsu |
| Deity | Shaka Nyorai (Śākyamuni) (Important Cultural Property) |
| Status | Head Temple |
| Location | |
| Location | 1-1-5 Saidaiji Shibachō, Nara, Nara Prefecture |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°41′37″N 135°46′46.2″E / 34.69361°N 135.779500°E / 34.69361; 135.779500 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Jōtō and Empress Kōken |
| Date established | 765 |
| Completed | 1808 (Reconstruction) |
| Website | |
| saidaiji | |
One building, the Aizen-dō, houses a statue of Aizen Myō-ō, while the main image is of Shakyamuni Buddha, erected by Eison in 1249.[1]
