Zhenguo Temple, Pingyao

Zhenguo Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple located in Haodong Village, about 10 kilometres northeast of Pingyao Ancient City, Shanxi Province. Together with Pingyao Ancient City and Shuanglin Temple, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.

History

• Founded in 963 AD (the 7th year of the Tianhui reign of the Northern Han Dynasty).

• Originally named Jingcheng Temple.

• Renamed Zhenguo Temple during the Ming Dynasty (1540 AD).

• Major renovations occurred in the Ming, Qing (1816 AD) and later dynasties.

• Designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1988.

Architectural Layout

The temple covers an area of 10,892 square metres and consists of two main courtyards.

• Front Courtyard:

◦ Shanmen (Gate of Heavenly Kings): Yuan Dynasty architecture, housing statues of the Four Heavenly Kings.

◦ Bell and Drum Towers: Stand symmetrically on both sides.

◦ Wanfo Hall (Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas): The core and oldest building of the temple.

• Rear Courtyard:

◦ Guanyin Hall and Ksitigarbha Hall on the east and west sides.

◦ Three Buddhas Tower: A two-story Ming Dynasty structure with murals depicting the life of Buddha.

Highlight: Wanfo Hall (Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas)

• One of China’s Oldest Wooden Structures: It is one of only six surviving wooden buildings from the Five Dynasties period in China.

• Architectural Marvel:

◦ Built entirely with mortise-and-tenon joints, no nails.

◦ Features a simple, elegant style with large, complex dougong (bracket sets) supporting the roof.

• Precious Sculptures:

◦ Houses 14 coloured sculptures, among which 11 are original Five Dynasties works.

◦ These are the only surviving examples of Five Dynasties temple sculptures in China, depicting Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and disciples with vivid expressions.