The Tōdai-ji located in Nara Japan UNESCO Heritage the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha.

Copyright The Art of Noise „ Moments in Love“ The Tōdai-ji (Eastern Great Temple), located in Nara, Japan, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known as the Daibutsu. Completed in 752, this massive complex and its Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden)—one of the world's largest wooden buildings—symbolized a massive national effort to promote Buddhism. Interesting Curiosities and Facts: * Massive Construction Effort:Building the Daibutsu nearly bankrupted Japan in the 8th century, requiring approximately 2.6 million people to contribute to its creation. * The Daibutsu's Size: The seated Buddha is nearly 15 meters (49 feet) tall, with ears 2.54 meters in length. * Rebuilt Smaller: Although the Daibutsuden is still immense, the current building (rebuilt in 1709) is only about two-thirds the size of the original 8th-century structure. * Symbolic Pillars: Inside the hall, there is a wooden pillar with a hole through its base, which is said to be the same size as the Daibutsu's nostril. Visitors believe passing through this hole brings enlightenment. * Sacred Deer: The temple grounds are filled with free-roaming, semi-wild deer considered messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion. * Unique Artifacts: In front of the hall stands an octagonal bronze lantern from the 8th century, which features rare, ancient carvings. * Government Influence: The temple was so powerful in the 8th century that the Japanese capital was moved from Nara to Nagaoka to reduce the monks' influence over government