We went to visit the Kondo Hakkaku Tōrō at Tōdai ji which was quite something to see. The day was a bit wet with on and off light rain  showers.

The Kondo Hakkaku Kondo Tōrō is located in front of the Great Buddha Hall.  The ancient octagonal bronze lantern dates back to the 8th century, making it over 1,250 years old. It was created during the founding era of Tōdai-ji, around the same time  as the temple.

We went inside the temple and the Great Buddha of Nara (Daibutsu),  loomed in front of us. It is one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.

The Buddha rises about 15 meters (49 feet) tall, weighs roughly 500 tons, and sits within the huge Great Buddha Hall. 

 

The photos don’t reflect the scale. The Buddha’s sheer size of the statue makes you feel small. 

We walked around the temple looking at the Buddha and other buddha idols from different angles. 

Outside of the temple is a small wooden Buddha and it was being touched by some of the visitors. We went over to check it out. 

The wooden buddha is called the Pindola and he was one of the disciples of Buddha. It is believed in Japan that when you rub a part of wooden Pindola and then rub the same part on you. That injured or troubled area of your own body will bring healing. So of course Ray had to try it.

Ray’s knee has never felt better since.

時は矢のごとく過ぎ去る。