So, after Osaka, we took a bus to Nara, which is one of the many former capitals of Japan. This one was intended to unite a buddist version of Japan in peace. It's known as the place with all the deer to most of us now. This is because it's a park for deer, and they wander free and (relatively) tame in the area. But we'll get to that later...
First stop in Nara was the largest Budda in Japan. It's made of bronze, if I remember right, and as a result has been damaged a few times by fire (melting) and repaired. Similarly, the building that contains the budda is a reproduction of the original, which was burned down somewhere along the way. This building is only 2/3rds (or may be 1/3?) the size of the origninal because of the amount of wood it would take to build a building that big. Outside is a lantern that is also bronze and famous. Apparently, someone tried to steal it once (talk about crazy stunts to attempt) and ended up damaging it. But it's so pretty, I doubt most people would notice:
And here's the giant budda:
I know it doesn't look huge (even in real life it doesn't seem that big because of how far away you stand. But the palm that is flat and horizontal (which is sort of hidden in this picture) could hold 30 people, apparently, and the middle finger of the other hand is like 6 feet tall. So that should give you some concept of the scale.
Also famous in the building with this budda is a pillar with a hole in it. If you can pass through this hole, you're supposed to be able to attain Nirvana. Of course, several of the tinier members of our group had to try it:
And though they sometimes needed help, everyone was successful who tried. Apparently it's a little scary to look at the opening when you get down to that level.
After viewing the budda, we had a little time to commune with the deer... more on that to come...
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