I love Kamakura Buddha in Japan
Dear friends around the world,
When I was a child growing up in Howell, New Jersey, my mom had a replica of this great Daibutsu. It was around 4″ tall and I kept this little metal statue with me in my room. I loved it very much and used to make offerings to Him always. Back then which was in the 1970s, Buddha images were not very common or easy to come by, even in a town like Howell where we had so many Buddhist temples. Yet I found a picture of this Buddha in an encyclopaedia in my school library and after I read about it, I developed a powerful wish to visit this Buddha in Japan.
Traditional Japanese-style artwork featuring the Kamakura Buddha. Click to enlarge.
So I have always wanted to visit Japan’s Kamakura Buddha for decades. And I finally did. It was built by a lady of the late shogun’s court, who dedicated this sacred Buddha for her beloved king. The Buddha statue is located within the grounds of the Kotoku-in Temple and during my visit, I was able to sit near to the statue to do my sadhana and prayers. There is also a shop in the temple groups and I was able to purchase many small replica Daibutsu statues to give away to friends as gifts for their cars. One of those statues is also in my car so I have a Kamakura Buddha with me always now.
I had my team compile a list of interesting facts and information about this national treasure of Japan to share with all of you. Do try to go and pay homage to the Great Buddha of Kamakura. The town of Kamakura itself is very quaint, clean, small and very organised, just like everywhere else in Japan. Everything Japanese is so pristine and a wonderful blend of past with the present. I loved Kamakura itself and wish to visit in the future again.
Tsem Rinpoche
Facts
Kamakura Buddha circa 1910. Click to enlarge.
Name: Kamakura Daibutsu (鎌倉大仏). The term ‘Daibutsu’ (or 大仏) means ‘Great Buddha’ or ‘giant Buddha’ in Japanese and it used informally to refer to big Buddha statues. The Kamakura Daibutsu, also called The Great Buddha of Kamakura, is one of the most famous Daibutsus in Japan and is designated a National Treasure. It is also one of 22 historic sites included in Kamakura’s proposal for inclusion in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Also known as: Hotoke-sama or Mi-hotoke-sama (honorific); Butsuda, Bursu, Hotoke (colloquial)
Buddha depicted: Amitabha Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Light and Lord of the Western Pure Land) in sitting posture. He is worshipped by the great majority of Japanese Buddhists, who use the phrase Namu Amida Butsu as a blessed greeting for one another. The phrase means “Adoration Be to Buddha Amitabha!” or “Total reliance upon the compassion of Amida Buddha”, and it expresses their adoration of this Buddha, as well as plants seeds of enlightenment in the listener’s mind.
Location: Kotoku-in Temple, formally known as Daii-san Kotoku-In Shojosen-ji (Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)
Constructed: 1243 AD (wood statue destroyed in a storm in 1248); 1252 AD (current bronze statue)
Material: Bronze (hollow and visitors can enter to view the interior
Weight: Approximately 121 tonnes
Height (incl. base): Approximately 13.35 metres
Height (excl. base): Approximately 11.3 metres
Size:
- Face: Approximately 2.35 metres
- Eye: Approximately 1 metres
- Ear: Approximately 1.9 metres
- Mouth: Approximately 0.82 metres
- Knee to knee: Approximately 9.1 metres
- Circumference of thumb: Approximately 0.85 metres
Hand-coloured albumen silver print by Adolfo Farsari (circa 1885-1890). Note the figures in the image wearing traditional Japanese attire. Click to enlarge.
History and background: According to the temple records, the current statue was preceded by another wooden Daibutsu. Funds for the statue were raised by Inada-no-Tsubone, who was a lady of the court and an attendant of Shogun Yorimoto, together with a Buddhist priest named Joko of Totomi. Construction began in 1238 and finished five years later in 1243, but the statue was destroyed after a storm hit the area in 1248. The storm also destroyed the hall covering the statue.
They rebuilt the statue, this time raising more funds and building a bronze statue. They also reconstructed the hall to shelter the statue but another large storm in 1335 destroyed it. A third hall was constructed but it was once again brought down in 1368 after a typhoon. The fourth and final construction of the hall stood for 127 years, until a tsunami hit Japan when it was destroyed. The bronze statue however, remained intact and it has been left in the open air since then.
Kamakura Buddha as seen today
Over the years, the statue has survived multiple natural disasters until 1923, when an earthquake destroyed the statue’s base, leading to repairs in 1925. Further repairs were carried out in 1960 – 1961, when the statue’s neck was strengthened with layers of plastic beams. A stainless steel plate was also inserted between the pedestal and statue, allowing the statue to move freely on the base, thereby avoiding shocks in future earthquakes. It is the first Japanese Cultural Property to be repaired using plastic, and to have this type of base-isolating quake protection installed.
Restoration and preservation works are continuously carried out to protect the statue, the most recent efforts taking place in 2016.
Benefits:
- Bring peace to the surrounding land.
- Stabilise the region; pacify disturbances and natural disasters.
- Bless all beings in the region, both seen and unseen. In the Sutra of the Mudra, Developing the Power of Devotion, it says that someone who merely sees the image of a Buddha, great or small, immediately creates numberless merits.
- Plant seeds of enlightenment in the minds of sentient beings, so they may create a connection with Amitabha or, if they do not meet the Dharma during the time of Shakyamuni, then to meet Maitreya in the future.
For more interesting information:
- The Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Daibutsu – The Great Buddha of Kamakura
- DAIBUTSU – The Great Buddha of Kamakura
- Rudyard Kipling’s Poem of Kamakura Buddha
- Wonderful Japan – Kyoto and Nara
- Wonderful Japan – Kyushu
- Wonderful Japan – Hokkaido
- Wonderful Japan – Tokyo
- Wonderful Japan – Kansai
- Wonderful Japan – Shikoku
- Wonderful Japan – Honshu
- Wonderful Okinawa
- Special trip to Buddha of Lantau
- Leshan Giant Buddha
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The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a monumental outdoor bronze statue is one of the most famous icons of Japan. It sits in the grounds of Kotokuin, a temple belonging to the Jodo Sect of Buddhism. An equal opportunities Buddha, guiding all to the Pure Land, built in the mid 13th century and is the second tallest bronze Buddha in Japan. Looks stunning this statue with historical stories behind it. Love to visit and see for myself this magnificent staue.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
It is like what Rinpoche said about having big buddha statues. These really can calm the minds of the people perceiving them it really calms their minds down. So beneficial to huge buddha images/structures to bless the surrounding lands and places.
Huge Buddha statues, that are properly consecrated, made and with great motivation can benefit so many people.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is one of Japan’s most fascinating historical landmarks. The enormous bronze statue is a representation of Amitabha Buddha, located on the grounds of the Kotokuin temple in Kamakura City. It is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. I have not been to Japan, but would love to visit this beautiful place to see this statue one day. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for the lovely write up.😍🌈🌸
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is one of the most iconic landmarks in Japan. The Great Buddha of Kamakura is a monumental outdoor bronze statue , that’s attracted many thousands of tourists and locals yearly. Been the second largest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. Wow it seem that the Great Buddha of Kamakura has a long and illustrious history, reflected in its architectural legacy, especially its numerous shrines and temples. Truly amazing having gone through many disaster yet it still remind to this day with many renovation done to restore the beauty. Have not been to Japan before but have heard many stories regarding the beauty of this amazing statue.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Vintage photo of Kamakura Buddha in Japan. I love it.
The Great Buddha of Kamakura is one of Japan’s most fascinating historical landmarks. The enormous bronze statue is a representation of Amitabha Buddha, located on the grounds of the Kotokuin temple in Kamakura City. It is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan. I have not been to Japan ,would love to visit this beautiful place to see this statue .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this and may Rinpoche’s wish of visiting there again be fulfilled.
The Kamakura Buddha statue is one of the top destinations in Japan although it is not one of the tallest in the world. According to the travel site, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3100.html#/section_introduction
“The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kamakura Daibutsu) is a bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which stands on the grounds of Kotokuin Temple. With a height of 13.35 meters, it is the second tallest bronze Buddha statue in Japan, surpassed only by the statue in Nara’s Todaiji Temple.
The statue was cast in 1252 and originally located inside a large temple hall. However, the temple buildings were destroyed multiple times by typhoons and a tidal wave in the 14th and 15th centuries. So, since 1495, the Buddha has been standing in the open air.”
I’ve always thought that the statue was built for outdoors. It’s a blessing in disguise because it would be more beneficial for the statue to be outdoors as animals can be blessed as well upon sight.
Hopefully to visit this holy place one day.
What a lovely yet grand buddha statue. The area must look stunning in the spring when cherry blossoms grow. Spring is a beautiful season in itself but with buddhas around the atmosphere must be all the more enthralling and majestic yet serene. Thank you for the post Rinpoche. I’m happy that Rinpoche was able to visit Japan as it was on his to-visit list 🙂
How blessed to be able to see beyond this material life and have Buddha statue built and dedicated to loved one to continually collect merits even after their passing in this life.
The first time I saw this Kamakura Buddha image is in one of my Kecharian friend’s car. I later found out that it is from this Kamakura Buddha statue that Rinpoche has Kechara produced replica in the form of small statues to be put on car dashboard. Placing buddha statues and images in our car can bless the drivers, passengers and many passer-bys. What a wonderful way to spread dharma.
The Kamakura Buddha gives me a feeling of secure and security. The Buddha images have different appearances in different countries and regions, and the Kamakura Buddha is more plentiful compares to Buddha images of Thailand or Tibet.
At 13.35 meters high and weighing 93 tons, the Daibutsu is the second largest monumental Buddha in Japan. The Great Buddha is one of the icons of Japan, seated in a Buddhist temple of the Pure Land sect in Kamakura city. It was built in 1252.
Here’s a short video on Kamakura Buddha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAPTNTsT5s
Kamakura Buddha is soo nice. Its shape and size is formiddable. Apparently the story goes is that after a huge storm that ravaged the area the only thing left standing was the Buddha.
Even the Monastery that housed Kamakura Buddha was destroyed but the Buddha.
How wonderful! The Taj Mahal may have an almost similar story behind it, but the Kamakura Buddha in Japan shows love and care, accompanied with wisdom. Seven wonders or not, it’s definitely worth admiring.
I have always wanted to travel to Japan in the future, and this shall be in my list of ‘places to visit’ should i ever set foot in Japan. It is so beautiful (I googled up more pictures to have a closer look…) I’m so glad the Japanese did not recycle it like how they did on Hachiko’s statue in WW2 (don’t worry… they restored Hachiko’s statue after the war… though its not the original one..)
What a inspiring story on devotion and love! Dedicating a Buddha image for all to view/visit and pay homage to which in turns creates merits for her beloved husband.
It looks very serene and most calming. I too wish we could make it there someday.
If this evokes such feelings in me, how more compelling it would be and thus how many more people it would benefit when KWPC manifests. Imagine that! Magical and how incredible special that will be. We HAVE to go all the way if not for us for the sake of others!
I wish and want this with all my heart!
I really think that the shogun’s wife sounds really devoted towards the glorious Dharma. She seems to do it mostly to her husband, the Shogun. We should show that kind of care towards our partners. I love the picture of the Kamakura Buddha statue in Japan. I hope I can visit it one time to feel the stone especially during winter. The effects on the picture added to the beauty of the great and majestic statue itself is extremely beautiful. It is a masterpiece! Rinpoche, how did it feel going up close to the beautiful masterpiece of artwork? Were there any strong energy waves floating in the air?
I remember the beautiful funky chrome-coloured Kamakura Buddha that Rinpoche had on his dashboard. Rinpoche used to have a Sandalwood one from a local Chinese Dharma store but switched it to the modern chrome Buddha which he purchased from Kamakura itself. I really loved that Buddha and wished there were more here in Malaysia but I have not seen any.
However, I was very fortunate because I had a friend a few years back who went there and she got me one and I was just so happy! To me, this chrome Buddha reminds me of Rinpoche’s modern demeanours of speech but heart-wise, essentially a Buddha. I don’t know why, Kamakura always reminds me of the chrome Buddhas forever sitting on my dashboard to perpetually travel wherever for the Dharma and be modern, unfettered and yet with a good Dharma heart.
Back when I got a new car late last year, Rinpoche very kindly performed a blessing and protection ritual for me. I remember clearly driving directly from the showroom to the Ladrang, where I parked my car directly outside and waited nervously for the moment when Rinpoche would actually come down to perform the ritual.
The Ladrang staff are well trained in preparing the necessary items for such ceremonies, and there was already a small tray filled with chakras, blessing strings and protector rice by the door, as well as a small silvery statue of the Kamakura Buddha.
When Rinpoche came down to perform the ritual, he placed in my car an old chakra of hayagriva (very precious as it contains the robes of the 14th Dalai Lama), a blessing string and the Kamakura Buddha image. After that, I took Rinpoche and his attendants for a short drive around the neighbourhood before returning to the Ladrang.
It is said that the mere presence of the Lama in a location (eg a building or a car) is already more than enough blessing and I certainly believe that. More recently, Rinpoche has performed another car blessing for Louise, another of his students who also works for Kechara Discovery
http://www.kechara.com/b2b/news/double-car-blessing/
Starting from the Kamakura Buddha, Rinpoche conceptualised the idea of having consecrated Buddha images in his students’ cars, to protect and bless them while they are driving. The Buddha images also plant seeds in the minds of passersby and our fellow drivers and passengers, another of Rinpoche’s methods to spread the Dharma.
This idea has now spread to our Kechara Paradise outlets, where there are “Car Buddhas” blessed, consecrated and waiting to be invited home.
Wow, if that’s the kind of thing love can lead to, how wonderful for the couple! I think the best kind of relationship is where the two people push each other to become better versions of themselves. Rinpoche gave a talk about this recently, at the wedding of Suzan ( http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/04/ingredients-for-a-successful-relationship-rinpoche-on-how-to-stay-married.html ) who works with the Kechara Paradise outlets. It’s become a really popular talk because so many of us are looking for relationships, looking for how to be happy or happier in our relationships, etc.
Speaking of the outlets, the Kamakura Buddha actually looks like the car Buddhas that we have in the Kechara Paradise outlets these days! Rinpoche actually commissioned those Buddhas to bless us as we drive, since we spend soooooooo much time in our cars. They’re really cute…and if I’m not mistaken, the most exclusive ones are the Kamakura Buddha ones, as there’s a very limited number of them.