Foguang Temple, China
A Tang Dynasty Treasure
A detailed plan of the painted wooden statues of the Grand East Hall.
Built during the Tang Dynasty (7th-10th centuries AD), Foguang Temple is a tribute to the peak of Chinese Buddhist art and architecture. Its main structure, the Grand East Hall is the second oldest and one of the most important remaining wooden architectural jewels of ancient Chinese civilization. Grand East Hall also contains previous wall paintings and polychrome statues from the Tang Dynasty. However, the location of the temple was forgotten for centuries and was rediscovered by the great architectural historian Liang Sicheng in 1937, based on a wall painting from Mogao Grotto, depicting the location of the temple in Wutai Mountain.
Wutai Mountain is honored as one of five sacred Buddhist mountains in China, and the epitome of Buddhist spirituality. Wutai Mountain’s Buddhist history and culture is not only one of the brightest pearls of traditional Chinese culture, but represents the earliest achievements of Sino-Indian cultural exchange. The temple has not had repair or conservation work since the 17th century, and suffers from extensive structural damage caused by falling rocks from landslides and leaking roofs; therefor wooden beams and pillars are threatening irreparable structural damage.
Foguang Temple is built on multiple levels up a hillside valley, following the slope of the mountain embraced by green hills on three sides. Listed as a major site of historic value under state protection, the temple covers an area of 34,000 square meters. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen (471-499) of the Northern Wei Dynasty after he purportedly witnessed Buddhist halos, or bright lights, in the sky; hence its name Foguang (Buddhist Halo) Temple.
Foguang Temple was founded between 471-499 AD under the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and was widely known throughout the world. In 845 AD, all the buildings of the temple were destroyed in Tangzuwong’s campaign to eliminate Buddhism. In 857, the temple’s East Hall was renovated and then enlarged with more sophisticated architectural design. It is generally regarded as one of the architectural gems of ancient China, and a primary model for Tang Period architecture across China and the rest of Asia, including the more famous Todaiji Temple in Nara. Foguang Temple is considered to be the ‘Fountainhead’ of classical Chinese architecture.
