Saidaiji Temple and Lotus Flowers 西大寺と蓮の花

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

These are lotus flowers at Saidaiji Temple. Saidaiji was founded in the eighth century by Empress Shotoku, the daughter of Emperor Shomu—the emperor who founded Todaiji. Meaning 'Great Western Temple' in Japanese, Saidaiji and Todaiji ('Great Eastern Temple') were once considered sister temples. Between the two sat the Heijo Imperial Palace, the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. However, Saidaiji later declined due to natural disasters and lost its influence. As a result, while almost every Japanese person knows Todaiji, very few are familiar with Saidaiji.

As this history suggests, its premises are far smaller than Todaiji's, and there was hardly anyone else there when I visited. The twin temples prompted me to reflect on people and their lives 1,300 years ago.

Saidaiji temple　西大寺

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西大寺です。東大寺は有名ですが西大寺が東大寺と並ぶ権勢を誇る寺だったことを知る人は日本人でもそれほど多くないのではないでしょうか。

西大寺は、聖武天皇の娘の称徳天皇が建立したのですが、平安時代に衰退し、火災や台風で多くの堂塔を失くしてしまいました。

蓮の花を見ながら1,300年前の奈良について思いを馳せました。

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