About This Video
Founded at the beginning of the Heian period right after the capital was moved in Kyoto, To-ji (Toji) temple or the East temple in English was built. Together with its now-defunct sister temple Saiji or West temple To-ji was among Kyoto’s largest temples and served the capital’s guardian temples.
Only 30 years after it was established To-ji was appointed by the founder of the Shingon Japanese Buddhism sect, Kobo Daishi as Japan’s second most important Shingon temple.
To-ji is made of three major buildings with the main hall, the Kondo Hall with its gorgeous wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha. With Ko-do hall which was erected in 825 by Kobo Daishi served as a lecture hall. Finally, a five-story pagoda was built one year later in 826 under the supervision of Kobo Daishi as well.
