Wikipedia

Eight Great Architectures of the Liao Dynasty

The Eight Great Architectures of the Liao Dynasty（Chinese: 八大辽构; pinyin: bā dà liáo gòu) are a collection of eight Buddhist structures constructed during the Liao dynasty in China and have been conserved to this day.[1] Buddhism during the Liao dynasty was influenced by the Tang dynasty, as Buddhist relics were relocated to the Hebei vassal state for safekeeping following Emperor Wuzong of Tang's suppression of Buddhism. This relocation facilitated the growth of Buddhism in the Khitan ethnic settlements.[2] While many buildings from the Liao dynasty were destroyed in conflicts, a select few Buddhist structures have been preserved, with the "Eight Great Architectures of the Liao Dynasty" serving as notable examples. Despite their initial construction during the Liao dynasty, these buildings have undergone various degrees of restoration or reconstruction in subsequent eras. They are all designated as the most significant immovable cultural relics in China and are classified as major cultural heritage sites under national-level protection.

Table

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Name Picture Place Introduction
The Wenshu Hall of Geyuan Temple   Laiyuan County, Hebei Province The Wenshu Hall of Geyuan Temple, originally constructed in 966, has undergone multiple reconstructions over the years.[3] Renowned for its distinctive architectural design, intricate wood-carved diamond-shaped lattice windows, and expansive murals, the building stands as a notable cultural landmark. Furthermore, the Feihu Bell, an associated artifact of the Wenshu Hall, holds significance as the sole Liao dynasty iron bell in China with a well-documented origin.[4]
The Shanmen of Dule Temple   Jizhou District, Tianjin Constructed in the year 984, the Shanmen serves as the principal entrance to the Dule Temple. Esteemed architect Liang Sicheng lauded this gate as a significant relic from the Tang dynasty and a precursor to the Song dynasty. It stands as a valuable asset for examining the evolution of Chinese architectural styles and is considered a precious rarity.[5] This structure, featuring a four-arched hip roof, is the oldest wooden building from the Liao dynasty. Its architectural design and construction methods bear a closer resemblance to those of the Tang dynasty, making it a pivotal example of ancient Chinese architectural heritage.[6]
The Guanyin Pavilion of Dule Temple   Jizhou District, Tianjin The Guanyin Pavilion at Dule Temple, constructed in 984, stands at a height of 23 meters, making it the oldest extant wooden pavilion in China. Its purpose was to safeguard the monumental Guanyin statue housed within. Positioned prominently above the eaves of the pavilion is a plaque bearing the inscription "Guanyin Pavilion" attributed to "Taibai," believed to be authored by the Tang dynasty poet Li Bai.[7] The main hall features the Ekādaśamukha, the largest ancient Guanyin statue in China. Adorned with Liao dynasty colored sculptures and murals reminiscent of Tang dynasty portraiture, the hall exemplifies the practice of ancient sculptors integrating contemporary figures into Buddhist artwork.[5]
The Mahavira Hall of Fengguo Temple   Yi County, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province The Mahavira Hall at Fengguo Temple was constructed in 1020 and initially known as Xianxi Temple. It was later renamed Fengguo Temple during the Jin dynasty. The hall is revered for enshrining the seven Buddhas of the past, earning it the monikers "Big Buddha Temple" or "Seven Buddha Temple". Notably, it stands as the most extensive surviving hall from the Liao dynasty and ranks among the largest single-story wooden edifices in traditional Chinese architectural history, second only to the Great Hall of Huayan Temple in Datong from the Jin dynasty.[8]
The Mahavira Hall of Kaishan Temple   Gaobeidian City, Hebei Province The construction of the Mahavira Hall at Kaishan Temple is believed to have taken place between the years 1004 and 1123 AD. The hall measures five bays in width, three bays in depth, and stands approximately 12 meters tall. It features a single-eaved tiled hip roof and incorporates a combination of moved and reduced columns. Notably, the hall is adorned with only four golden pillars, a design characteristic commonly found in Liao and Jin architectural styles.[9]
The Buddhist Texts Library of Huayan Temple   Datong City, Shanxi Province Constructed in 1038, the main hall of the temple is a significant architectural structure. The caisson, wall storage, and 31 statues within the hall are all authentic artifacts dating back to the Liao dynasty. Notably, the hall features a carving of the Heavenly Palace Pavilion, representing the sole surviving model of a wooden structure from the Liao dynasty in China. Renowned architect Liang Sicheng lauded this carving as a unique and unparalleled architectural specimen in the nation.[10]
The Mahavira Hall of Shanhua Temple   Datong City, Shanxi Province The Mahavira Hall of the Buddha, dating back to the Liao dynasty, is a significant architectural relic characterized by a brick base standing at a height of 2.24 meters. Positioned in front of the hall is a spacious moon platform, flanked by the bell tower and drum tower, which were incorporated during the Wanli period of the Ming dynasty. The hall spans seven bays in width (41.8 meters) and five bays in depth (26.18 meters), featuring a single-eaved hip roof supported by five layers of double-fold brackets.[11] Notably, the hall showcases exposed beams and houses 34 clay sculptures from the Jin dynasty, including statues of the Five Tathāgatas, disciples Kassapa and Ānanda, and the Twenty-Four Protective Deities.[12] Additionally, the hall boasts approximately 190 square meters of murals, painted during the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty as part of a renovation project.[13]
Pagoda of Fogong Temple   Ying County, Shuozhou City, Shanxi Province The Pagoda of Fogong Temple is recognized as the oldest and tallest standing wooden pagoda in China.[14] While the precise date of its construction remains unknown, its architectural style and associated cultural artifacts suggest it was built during the Liao dynasty. Over the years, the pagoda has undergone numerous renovations. Despite enduring earthquakes and artillery fire, the structure has remained resilient and has not succumbed to collapse.[15]

References

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  1. ^ 杨昆 (2017). "西京大同府"八大辽构"中的经典遗存". 国家人文历史 (20): 88–93. ISSN 2095-5189. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  2. ^ 竺沙雅章 (1998). 征服王朝的時代: 宋・元 (in Chinese). 稻鄉出版社. p. 75. ISBN 978-957-9628-31-0. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  3. ^ 曹静 (2020). "河北涞源县阁院寺辽代铁钟考略". 收藏家 (5): 87–94. ISSN 1005-0655. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  4. ^ 李向玲 (2018). "从阁院寺文殊殿看辽初寺庙建筑特色". 中华建设 (7): 64–65. ISSN 1673-2316. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  5. ^ a b 梁思成 (2012). 中国古建筑调查报告 (in Chinese). 北京: 生活・读书・新知三联书店. ISBN 978-7-108-03463-2. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  6. ^ "独乐寺山门". 国家人文历史 (20): 90. 2017. ISSN 2095-5189. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  7. ^ 蓟州区文化和旅游局 (2023-04-18). "独乐寺". 天津市蓟州区人民政府. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  8. ^ "奉国寺大雄宝殿". 国家人文历史 (20): 91. 2017. ISSN 2095-5189. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  9. ^ 祁英涛 (1957). "河北省新城县开善寺大殿". 文物参考资料 (10): 23–29. ISSN 0511-4772. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  10. ^ 梁思成 (2005). 中国建筑史 (in Chinese). 天津: 百花文艺出版社. ISBN 978-7-5306-4168-2. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  11. ^ Steinhardt, Nancy Shatzman (1997). Liao architecture. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 145. ISBN 9780824818432.
  12. ^ Chinese sculpture. New Haven: Yale University Press. 2006. p. 376. ISBN 0-300-10065-5. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  13. ^ 昝凯 (2002). 华严寺 善化寺 九龙壁 (in Chinese). 太原: 山西人民出版社. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-7-203-04586-1. Archived from the original on 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  14. ^ "中国抢险加固世界最古老木塔"应县木塔"" (in Chinese (China)). 新华网. 2014-12-05. Archived from the original on 2016-10-11. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
  15. ^ "山西应县千年木塔不堪重负 专家呼吁别再攀登" (in Chinese (China)). 新华网. 2001-06-22. Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2015-02-09 – via 新浪网.
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