Yakushiji Temple:Nara

Founding of Yakushiji Temple and relocation to Heijo-kyo

Yakushiji Temple was established in the 9th year of Emperor Tenmu’s reign (680) when Emperor Tenmu prayed for the recovery of his empress, Princess Uno Sanryou (later Empress Jito). However, Emperor Tenmu passed away before Yakushiji Temple was completed, and Empress Jito ascended to the throne and built Yakushiji Temple in the new capital, Fujiwara-kyo. In 697, the main image of Yakushi Nyorai was consecrated, and the construction was completed the following year and monks were allowed to live there, according to the Shoku Nihongi. In 710, the capital was moved from Fujiwara-kyo to Heijo-kyo by order of Emperor Genmei. With the relocation of the capital, Yakushiji Temple was also moved to its current location in Rokujo Nibo, Ukyo, Heijo-kyo. At that time, Yakushiji was one of the four great temples in Japan until the Tenpyo period, and the main halls, such as the Kondo, the East and West Pagodas, and the Great Lecture Hall, were decorated with a soffit, and their magnificent appearance was called “Ryugu-zukuri”. However, many of the temple buildings have been lost to fires and earthquakes throughout history. In particular, the fires of war in 1528 were fierce, and the Kondo, the West Pagoda, and the Great Lecture Hall were burned down. Of these, the only one that has survived since the temple’s founding is the East Pagoda [National Treasure].

Restoration of the temple complex

Restoring the lost temple complex was a long-cherished wish of Yakushiji. In 1968, the head priest, Takada Yoshitane, appealed, “Because we are in an era of high economic growth where things prosper but the heart perishes, we need to restore the temple complex with spirituality,” and began the restoration of the Hakuho temple complex through solicitations for copying sutras. The temple received a donation of 1,000 yen per volume (at the time) and sought to rebuild the Golden Hall by encouraging the copying of a million volumes of sutras. Abbot Takada traveled around the country, calling for the “rediscovery of a beautiful heart” through the copying of sutras, and in 1976, the goal of a million volumes was achieved, and the Golden Hall was completed.
The restoration of the Hakuho temple complex through the donation of sutras marked its 50th anniversary in 2018. The main buildings of the Hakuho temple complex, including the West Pagoda, Middle Gate, Corridor, Great Lecture Hall, and Dining Hall, have been largely restored, and the ancient grand temple complex has been revived. The restoration of the Yakushiji temple complex was carried out as a crystallization of the beautiful hearts of the Japanese people. The next goal of Yakushiji is to convey the prayers of the Hakuho era and the faith of the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.
Yakushiji is a place of faith that has been passed down for 1,300 years, and a place where you can feel the ancient Nara. Please visit Yakushiji Temple in Nara to soothe and refine your mind.

About copying sutras

Yakushiji Temple has been soliciting the copying of sutras for the restoration of the Hakuho temple complex since 1968.
Copying sutras is a form of Buddhist training to calm the mind. By carefully copying each character of the sutra, you can calm your mind and it is an opportunity to look at your own state of mind. We are not just collecting donations, but we are continuing the restoration of the Hakuho temple complex as a crystallization of the beautiful hearts of the Japanese people of the Showa and Heisei eras.

If you donate the sutras you have copied at Yakushiji Temple, they will be enshrined in the restored hall for eternity. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in June 2019, and the number of copies we have donated has exceeded 8.5 million. However, there are still many sutras that have not been donated. There is no deadline for copying sutras at Yakushiji Temple, so if you have any, please donate them.

Information about the Sutra Sharing Dojo

Yakushiji Temple and Yakushiji Tokyo Betsuin Temple have a Sutra Sharing Dojo equipped with all the necessary tools. (Chair seating)
(9am-5pm [reception closes at 4pm] open all year round, no prior registration required)

Sutra Sharing Events at Yakushiji Temple in Nara

Yakushi Festival – 8th of every month

Sutra Sharing Session and Sermon
Maitreya Festival – 3rd Sunday of every month

Sutra Sharing Session and Monthly Mahoroba School

At the Yakushiji Temple in Nara, we have had the honor of having many people offer sutra copying since 1968. Copying sutras is a good way to express your gratitude for your worries, health, illness, birthdays, etc. After offering the sutras and reciting the sutras, we will treasure and hold them in a memorial service for eternity.

Date and time Every day (including Sundays and holidays) Opens at 9:00 AM, closes at 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:00 PM)
Reservation No reservation is required for individual visitors
If you are a group (7 or more people), please contact us and we will guide you to the copying dojo without waiting.
Location Yakushiji Temple, the head temple of the Hosso sect Access
What to bring No need (all the equipment is provided. On the day, you will only need to pay the 2,000 yen offering fee.)
Type of copying sutras/fees for offering Click here for details
Features Anyone can copy sutras regardless of religion or sect.
You can choose to use a brush or pencil.
You place paper over the sample and trace the characters on the sample, so there is no need to worry about typos.
It is also possible to copy one volume in several sessions (it is also possible for one volume to be shared among family members).
You can also copy the sutra at home.
A stamp collection book will be issued to those who submit three volumes of the Heart Sutra.
As a commemorative gift, those who submit 108 volumes of the Heart Sutra will receive a “Rinkesa” (ring kesa), those who submit 216 volumes will receive a “Katagoromo” (shoulder garment), those who submit 500 volumes will receive a “Triple Treasure Picture”, and those who submit 1,200 volumes will receive a “Yakushi Picture”.

Heart Sutra 1 volume 2,000 yen
Yakushi Sutra 1 volume 4,000 yen
Thirty Verses of Yogacara 1 volume 5,000 yen

Link:https://yakushiji.or.jp/

Tour Link:https://yakushiji.or.jp/osyakyo/