Pagoda

Photograph of two United States Army servicemen in front of the pagoda at Hōryū-ji, Japan, circa 1945-1952.

Typed caption in margin: "Pagoda."

Typed caption on verso: "The Pagoda originated in India in a remote age, and was introduced into Japan through China and Korea. The oldest and most valuable in Japan is the 'Five-Storied Pagoda' at the Horyuji temple, near Nara, being built in A.D. 609. The real origin of the pagoda is based on the historical legend that on the death of Mahakasyapa, one of the ten ablest discipls [disciples] of Buddha, the Buddha himself built the pagoda for the deceased--and that when Buddha entered into Nirvana his disciples erected a pagoda for him in order to preserve his sacred remains unto eternity. After his death, says tradition, his bones were divided into into [sic] eight equal parts and given to as many different kingdoms in India, and these were again sub-divided and given to various Oriental countries-- and xxxxxxx where even a fractional piece of bone was preserved a pagoda was built. Thus the first purpose of the erection of a pagoda was to enshrine in it with reverence and affection a fragment of Buddha's bones. Later in Buddhism, pagodas were built on a holy spot, or as offerings to the dead, or to stand as a representation of a tomb."