- Lingyan Temple
Lingyan Temple (zh-stp|t=靈巖寺|s=灵岩寺|p=Língyán Sì) is a Buddhist temple located convert|20|km|mi from
Tai'an inChangqing (长清),Shandong ,China .Valder, 118.] The temple grounds are situated along the western Taishan range. The temple has a long recorded history, the notable landmark of the 11th centuryPizhi Pagoda tower, and the Thousand Buddha Hall which houses aMing Dynasty bronze Buddha statue as well as 40 painted clay statues of life-sizeluohan from theSong Dynasty .Valder, 119.]History
The original temple was established in the Yongxing reign period (357–358), during the reign of
Fú Jiān (r. 357–385) of theFormer Qin state. Gaining a greater reputation during theNorthern Wei (386–534), the temple reached its apex of importance during theTang Dynasty (618–907) andSong Dynasty (960–1279). There were over 40 different wooden temple halls located at the temple, composing more than 500 monastic rooms. [http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_travel/2003-09/24/content_32399.htm Lingyan Temple] . From ChinaCulture.org. Retrieved on2008-02-12 .] More than 500 Buddhist monks lived at Lingyan Temple during its height. The oldest structures at the site ate the various stonestupa s and square-based stoneChinese pagoda in the pavilion style from the Tang Dynasty, the 8th centuryHuichong Pagoda . Of the 167 stone stupas at the temple, no two are identical, and like the luohan statues of the Thousand Buddha Hall, have been well-preserved and untouched by theCultural Revolution . The tallest structure of the temple is the 54 m (177 ft) tallPizhi Pagoda , built originally in 753, although the present structure was built from 1056 to 1063. [http://japanese.10thnpc.org.cn/english/TR-e/43303.htm Pizhi Pagoda at Lingyan Temple in Changqing of Shandong Province] . From China.org.cn. Retrieved on2008-02-12 .] Although the wooden halls were all reconstructed during theMing Dynasty (1368–1644) andQing Dynasty (1644–1912), the stone pedestals at the base of the pillars in the Thousand Buddha Hall are the original work of the Tang and Song eras.Pagodas and stupas
ee also
*
Architecture of the Song Dynasty Notes
References
*Valder, Peter. (2002). "Gardens in China". Portland: The Timber Press, Inc. ISBN 0881925551.
External links
* [http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_travel/2003-09/24/content_32399.htm Lingyan Temple at ChinaCulture.org]
* [http://www.china.org.cn/english/TR-e/43122.htm Huichong Pagoda at China.org.cn]
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