Nara's Buddha Statues & Art TourNara's Buddha Statues & Art Tour
1-chōme-1-2 Hōryūjikita, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara 636-0111, Japan
Okinawa
Nara
A nunnery where you can encounter the smiling Maitreya Bodhisattva in meditation
Chūgū-ji, located just east of Hōryū-ji's Eastern Temple Complex, is a nunnery said to have been founded at the behest of Empress Anahobe no Hashihito, mother of Prince Shōtoku. Still maintained as a monzeki nunnery today, the entire temple grounds exude a serene and dignified grace.
The principal image here, a Bodhisattva in meditation, is considered one of the most beautiful smiles in Japanese art history.
