Tôdai-ji temple was built under the orders of Emperor Shomu for the divine protection of Buddha in order to pacify and preserve the country. The Tôdai-ji Kondô(Great Buddha Hall) was completed in 751, and a dedication ceremony was held the next year, where pupils were painted on the eyes of the Great Buddha statue. Since then, the main temple has been rebuilt twice, each time after being burned down during wars in 1180 and 1567. Although the current Tôdai-ji Kondô was built in 1709, with its majestic appearance, it continues to be recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world. Tôdai-ji's main image is of a seated Vairocana Buddha called "the Great Buddha of Nara", and is well known to most Japanese people. Many historic buildings including the Shôsô-in Shôsô (Imperial Repository), which housed Emperor Shômu's precious treasures, are also located on the vast temple grounds.
Eight buildings are designated as National Treasures: Nandaimon (Kamakura period), Hokkedô (Shodo, Nara period; Raido, Kamakura period), Shurô (Belfry, Kamakura period), Daibutsuden (Edo period), Kaisandô (Kamakura period), Tegaimon (Nara period), Honbôkyôko (Nara period), and Shôsô-in Shôsô (Nara period).