Lotuses at Yakushiji Temple

Lotuses are in full bloom now at Yakushiji Temple in Nara Nishinokyo area.
 

 
Yakushiji Temple complex was built in 680 in a Chinese style, and is famous for its pagodas and Yakushi Nyorai Buddhist statue.
The East pagoda was originally completed in the 8th century and is under restoration now until April in 2020.
It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, under the name of “Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara”.
 
It was originally built in Kashihara area by Emperor Temmu who prayed for his wife to recover from illness. After he died, the capital was moved to Heijokyo and Yakushiji Temple was also moved to its current location, the Nishinokyo area, at that time.
 
Lotuses are full bloom now at Yakushiji Temple. Lotuses usually bloom in the morning, so the early morning is the best time for taking beautiful photos of lotuses.
 

 
Did you know that lotuses are closely tied to Buddhism?
The lotus is a sacred flower in Buddhism, as a figure that blooms a beautiful flower in the muddy water is a symbol of wisdom and mercy of the Buddha.
We also have some proof: Lotuses come out of the mud but are not stained by the mud.
 
You can also see lotus flowers in Buddhism art. Sometimes Buddha statues hold a lotus and also the pedestal is in the shape of a lotus flower, which is called Rengeza.
 
Nara was the end of the Silk Road, so there are many international influences all around.
 

 
Access to Yakushiji Temple:
From Kintetsu Nishinokyo station (Kintetsu Railway):
– 2 minutes on foot from the station.