Kaishan Temple
Encyclopedia
Kaishan Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Xincheng village near Gaobeidian, Hebei Province, China
. The temple was first founded in the Tang Dynasty, and grew large and important in the subsequent centuries until declining in recent centuries. In the 20th century, the most important hall of the temple, Daxiongbao Hall, dating from 1033 of the Liao Dynasty
, was used as both a school and as a granary. In 2002, the hall underwent a restoration that was completed in 2007.
, prior to the founding of Xincheng in 832 CE. In 929 CE, Xincheng was walled, and Kaishan Temple was located in the northeast corner of the walled town, and was known to locals as ‘Dasi’, literally, ‘Big Temple’. The oldest structure that is currently standing at the temple is the Daxiongbao Hall, which according to a date written on a beam within the temple, was built during the Liao Dynasty
in 1033. By the sixteenth century, the temple had become very large, but by the early 20th century it was in decline. In 1928, the Daxionbao Hall became a Sun Yat-sen
educational hall, and ceased to function as a temple. During the Cultural Revolution, many houses were built in the grounds of the temple, damaging the temple's surroundings. In 2001, a restoration project funded by the government began with the goal of returning the temple to its prior state.
Chinese architecture
. Prior to its conversion in 1928 to a school, the hall's main devotional image was probably Guanyin, with four esoteric boddhisattvas on either side, as well as luohan
s on the sides of the hall.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. The temple was first founded in the Tang Dynasty, and grew large and important in the subsequent centuries until declining in recent centuries. In the 20th century, the most important hall of the temple, Daxiongbao Hall, dating from 1033 of the Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
, was used as both a school and as a granary. In 2002, the hall underwent a restoration that was completed in 2007.
History
The current temple was founded in the Tang DynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, prior to the founding of Xincheng in 832 CE. In 929 CE, Xincheng was walled, and Kaishan Temple was located in the northeast corner of the walled town, and was known to locals as ‘Dasi’, literally, ‘Big Temple’. The oldest structure that is currently standing at the temple is the Daxiongbao Hall, which according to a date written on a beam within the temple, was built during the Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
in 1033. By the sixteenth century, the temple had become very large, but by the early 20th century it was in decline. In 1928, the Daxionbao Hall became a Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
educational hall, and ceased to function as a temple. During the Cultural Revolution, many houses were built in the grounds of the temple, damaging the temple's surroundings. In 2001, a restoration project funded by the government began with the goal of returning the temple to its prior state.
Daxiongbao Hall
The Daxiongbao Hall is five by three bays and measures 30.4 by 18.5 meters in size. It is built on a 1.11 meter high stone platform, and has a large yuetai in front of it which measures 27.6 by 11.4 meters. Columns implanted into square stone bases support massive eaves whose length is 55% of the columns’ height. The back and side pillars incline towards the interior of the hall, a feature that is associated with pre-Yuan DynastyYuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture
Chinese architecture refers to a style of architecture that has taken shape in East Asia over many centuries. The structural principles of Chinese architecture have remained largely unchanged, the main changes being only the decorative details...
. Prior to its conversion in 1928 to a school, the hall's main devotional image was probably Guanyin, with four esoteric boddhisattvas on either side, as well as luohan
Luohan
Luohan can mean:* Luóhàn, the Chinese word for arhat, in Buddhism* Luohan or flowerhorn, a cichlid fish hybrid* Luohan , named after the Chinese word for arhat...
s on the sides of the hall.