Yakushi-ji Temple, Nara

Yakushi-ji Temple is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Nara, Japan. It is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara that is inscribed as a World Heritage Site. The temple is the headquarters of the Hosso school of Japanese Buddhism.

As with the Shin Yakushiji Temple, the patron deity of the Yakushi-ji Temple is Yakushi Nyorai, also known as the Buddha of Healing. It is one of the earliest Buddhist deities to be introduced into Japan from China, around AD 680. The temple got its name from this Buddha.

The Yakushi-ji Temple was originally located in Fujiwara-kyo (an ancient site in present-day Kashihara, in Nara Prefecture) which served as the capital of Japan for just 16 years, between AD 694 and 710. The temple was established by Emperor Temmu in 680 to pray for the recovery of his consort. Ironically, Emperor Temmu died before his consort, who succeeded him to the throne as Express Jito, who completed the temple in AD 698.

Eight years after the Imperial Court had moved to Nara, she had the temple disassembled and relocated there. By calculation, the temple was relocated to Nara in 718. However, archaeological excavation at Fujiwara-kyo suggests that there were two Yakushi-ji temples. To differentiate between the two, the one at Fujiwara-kyo was called Moto Yakushi-ji, or the "original" Yakushi-ji.

Yakushi-ji Temple, Nara


Genjyo-to Hall, Yakushi-ji Temple


View of Yakushi-ji Temple, with its East and West Pagodas, at night

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