Buddhism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions A Dictionary of Buddhism Further reading

Shōmu Tenno

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Shōmu Tenno (701–56). Japanese emperor and patron of Buddhism in the Nara period. He reigned 724–49, and sought to make Buddhism a foundation for the peace and order of the state. In 728 he ordered that Konkōmyō-kyō (The Golden Splendour Sūtra, Skt., Suvarṇaprabhāsa-uttama-sūtra) should be distributed and recited for the protection of the nation. In 745, he ordered the setting up of the daigedatsu in Tōdai-ji. He inaugurated and dedicated the image, making a personal commitment to the Three Jewels (sambō). After his abdication, he became a home-living religious (nyūdō), i.e. one who shaves his head and wears the Buddhist religious habit, but does not join a community.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Shōmu Tenno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Shōmu Tenno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-ShmuTenno.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Shōmu Tenno." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-ShmuTenno.html

Learn more about citation styles

Shōmu Tennō

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

Shōmu Tennō (r. 724–49). The emperor of Japan who constructed the Great Buddha of Nara, a colossal image of Vairocana Buddha, 53½ feet tall and weighing 452 tons, and installed it in a temple that he renamed the Tōdaiji. This temple was made the head temple in a system of state-sponsored temples placed in each province and known collectively as kokubunji. Shōmu is also the first emperor to identify himself officially as ‘a servant of the Three Jewels’ (triratna). See also Nara Period.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shōmu Tennō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shōmu Tennō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ShmuTenn.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "Shōmu Tennō." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-ShmuTenn.html

Learn more about citation styles