Buddha Statue Wonderland: Daishizan Seidaiji Temple, Echizen Daibutsu [Hokuriku Series / Ishikawa Series / Fukui Series]
Did you know that in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, there sits a giant seated statue that even surpasses the Great Buddha of Nara? Established in 1987 by businessman Kiyoshi Tada, Daishizan Seidaiji Temple boasts an overwhelming scale that transcends the boundaries of a mere temple. The principal image, Vairocana Buddha, reaches a height of 17 meters, and its appearance, modeled after the Longmen Grottoes in China, invites visitors into another world. With temple buildings arranged in an orderly fashion across vast grounds and the mystical effect of mist, it is a sight truly worthy of being called a "Wonderland." In this article, we will thoroughly explain this extraordinary spot hidden in the Hokuriku region, from its historical background to its highlights.
Change History
2025/12/13: First Edition
▼HP▼Access▼Deities/Principal Image and Attendants
▼Highlights
→Origins and History
Completed on May 28, 1987
Established through the great aspiration of the major businessman, Mr. Kiyoshi Tada
The vast temple grounds are orderly arranged with various temple buildings, and many large and small Buddha statues are enshrined within.
→Approach to the Temple Grounds
→Approach to the Temple Grounds
→Main Hall / Echizen Daibutsu
*Pshhh*—is that mist, even though we're not on a mountain? Oh, it was water vapor...
Viewing the Buddha from the second floor! It seems to be even bigger than the one at Todai-ji.
The principal image of this temple was created based on the seated statue at the Longmen Fengxian Temple in the Longmen Grottoes on the outskirts of Luoyang, Henan Province, China. Vairocana Buddha is called 'Vairocana' in Sanskrit, which means 'sun.' In other words, like the sun, Vairocana Buddha is always at the center of the universe and continues to illuminate the entire universe. In Buddhism, there is a distinction between Buddhas who actually appeared in this world to spread teachings, like Shakyamuni, and Buddhas who are the personification of the Buddhist teachings (Dharma) themselves. The former is called an 'Ojin-butsu' (manifestation Buddha), and the latter is called a 'Hosshin-butsu' (Dharmakaya Buddha) because the Dharma has become a body. Vairocana Buddha is a Dharmakaya Buddha, representing the eternal and unchanging truth of the universe. It can be said that Shakyamuni and Vairocana Buddha are two sides of the same coin. With a height of 17 meters, it is a Buddha of magnificent scale, more than 2 meters larger than the Great Buddha of Nara.
→Other
I'm short on time, so I'll make this quick!!
▼Media Information
I will add updates in the comment section below this NOTE from here on.
▼Travelogue
Fukui 8: The once-in-33-years opening of Heisenji Hakusan Shrine drew 220,000 people in 3 days! Visiting Katsuyama City/Ono City/Sabae City | Yanmaa@Travelogue
Travelogues published after this will be uploaded next.
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▼Buddhist Statue Exhibition
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