Priest Roben (689–773)

Priest Roben was a scholar monk in the Nara Period and one of the four saints who founded the Todaiji Temple.

His origin is not certain, and it is said that he was either a descendant of an immigrant from Paekche [one of the three kingdoms in Korea] or from Omi Province. He was a scholar monk of the Kegon Sect and was appointed as a Sojo (the second highest rank priest). He is also known for creating the opportunity to build Todaiji Temple and the Great Buddha.

In Otsu, he constructed the large-scale Ishiyamadera Temple buildings. According to Ishiyamadera Engi Emaki (Illustrated Legend of Ishiyamadera), in 747, Emperor Shomu ordered Roben to search for gold to gild the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple. Roben built a thatched hut in Ishiyama to pray. Then gold dust was found in the faraway land in Mutsu Province [northern Honshu]. Roben built a large temple in the sacred land in Ishiyama which is reportedly the origin of Ishiyamadera Temple. Ishiyamadera Temple was later certified as the chokuganji (the temple built at the order of the emperor). According to Shosoin Monjo (documents kept in Todaiji Temple Shosoin) when Ishiyamadera Temple, a temple to pray for peace of the nation, went through a major renovation along with the construction of Horanomiya Palace in 759, Roben who was Daisozu (the highest-ranking among sozu) at that time directed the construction.