Todaiji Temple Daibutsu Deer Park/Nara1

The right hand of the great buddha, full-sized replica. The right hand of the great buddha is called a Semui-in. This hand means taking people’s fear.
The left hand of the great buddha is called a Yogan-in. This hand means granting people’s wish.

Buddhism is the teachings of Sakyamuni born as a prince of the Sakyas living on the border between India and Nepal in the 6th century B.C. (or the 5th century B.C.). When he was young, Sakyamuni became a priest, deeply worried about the life, aging, illness and death of man. Through self-mortification and meditation for about 6 years, he became awakened as Buddha. He spread the teaching that everyone has a possibility to become an awakened one, as well as the way to Buddhahood (spiritual enlightenment). At that time, Japanese people lived in pit-houses, hunting animals and collecting plants, which is called the Jomon period. Sakyamuni preached the teachings for 45 years, and passed away at the age of 80. Then, his disciples spread Buddhism throughout India. Around 270 B.C., Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty recommended Buddhism, and it became widespread. It is said that Buddhism came down to Japan in 538 (or in 552) from Baekje via Gandhara and Bamiyan through the Silk Road.

◇ The Shakya formed a tribal state in the southwestern part of Nepal, a small country located at the foot of the Himalayas. The birth place of Sakyamuni (sage of the Sakyas) is Lumbini.

◇ Sakyamuni (sage of the Sakyas) means a noble man in the state of Shakya. His real name is Gotama Siddhattha.

◇ Buddha means Gotama Siddhattha or awakened one.

◇ Nyumetsu means entering Nirvana or the death of Buddha.

◇ Nirvana means becoming absolutely free without Kleshas (earthly desires that physically and mentally annoy and harass man)

◇ Kleshas mean earthly desires that physically and mentally annoy and harass man.

◇ Gandhara is a provincial area of Pakistan today.

◇ Bamiyan is a provincial area of Afghanistan today.

◇ Baekje is the mid-west part of the Korean Peninsula today.Read more