What does byodo mean?

equal
Byodo-in was originally dedicated to the Buddhist bodhisattva Amida (aka Amitabha), who welcomed all comers to Paradise no matter what their branch of Buddhism. Hence, the name Byodo, which means ‘equal’. The site today is a joint Jodo-Tendai temple.

What is the Phoenix Hall of byodo built to represent?

The unprecedented Phoenix Hall, consecrated in 1053, was built as a three-dimensional representation of the depiction of Amida’s Sukhāvatī Pure Land, as found in the Guan Wuliangshou jing (Visualization Sūtra).

Why was the byodo-in temple built?

The main attraction in the Valley of the Temples is a Japanese temple called Byodo-in, which translates to the “Temple of Equality.” A scale replica of a temple in Uji Japan and made entirely without nails, Byodo-in was dedicated in 1968 as a centennial commemoration of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.

How old is the byodo-in Temple?

53c. 1968
The Byodo-In Temple/Age

Why was the Heian period important?

It is a period in Japanese history when Chinese influences were in decline and the national culture matured. The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature.

How old is the byodo in Temple?

What is a Buddha garden?

What is a Buddhist garden? A Buddhist garden may display Buddhist images and art, but more importantly, it can be any simple, uncluttered garden that reflects Buddhist principles of peace, serenity, goodness and respect for all living things.

What events happened during the Heian period?

Events

• 784: Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Nagaoka-kyō (Kyōto)
• 794: Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Heian-kyō (Kyōto)
• 804: The Buddhist monk Saichō (Dengyo Daishi) introduces the Tendai school.
• 806: The monk Kūkai (Kōbō-Daishi) introduces the Shingon (Tantric) school.

What led to the fall of the Heian period?

The Heian period eventually came to an end as the Fujiwara lost power and rivaling warlords assumed control of the government, transforming Japan into a shogunate. However, the culture of the Heian aristocrats lived on, helping define Japan to this day.

Why is there a pond in Byodo-In?

The garden and pond of Byōdō-in were designed specifically to evoke an image of the Buddhist Pure Land, the celestial heaven where Amida Nyorai resides and where all those who believed in Pure Land Buddhism and called on Amida Nyorai to save them would be reborn.

Is the Byodo-In temple a Buddhist temple?

The Byodo-In Temple is a non-practicing Buddhist temple which welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty. Please click the photos on the right to see a larger view.

What to see at the Byodo In Hawaii?

Inside the Byodo-in sits an 18-foot gold leaf-covered Buddha where visitors are welcomed to light incense and offer a prayer. Outside, peacocks and black swans roam the garden grounds and turtles lounge beside the pond. The temple’s pond is also filled with koi, a Japanese decorative fish that is a symbol of love and friendship.

Which is the most famous building of Byodo-In?

The architect intended to convey a vision of the Buddhist Pure Land, and succeeded in making Byōdō-in a strikingly beautiful temple in the process. The most famous building in the complex is the Phoenix Hall, which is placed in front of a reflective pond and topped with golden statues of phoenixes.