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Shengji Temple Bronze Pagoda

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Shengji Temple Bronze Pagoda
Native name
聖積寺銅塔 (Chinese)
The Pagoda within the Pavilion
TypeMajor Historical and Cultural Site of China
LocationFuhu Temple, Mount Emei, China
BuiltMing Dynasty

Shengji Temple Bronze Pagoda(Chinese: 聖積寺銅塔) is located in Fuhu Temple, Mount Emei, Sichuan. It is named for its original location in Shengji Temple. The pagoda, also known as the Huayan Bronze Pagoda(Chinese: 華嚴寺銅塔), is cast with the text of the Avatamsaka Sutra and scenes depicting the seven places and nine assemblies(Chinese: 七處九會) where the Buddha is said to have preached.[1] It is the earliest large-scale bronze pagoda still existing in China.[2]

The bronze pagoda has eight sides and thirteen tiers, with a height of 5.8 meters. It combines the features of a Lama-style pagoda and a multi-eaved tower, and was originally built with a square pedestal resembling Mount Meru.[3] The body of the pagoda has 4,762 buddha effigies and a wealth of inscriptions including the Avatamsaka Sutra. It also features motifs such as figures, lions and elephants.[2]

History

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The Shenji Bronze Pagoda was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and was supervised by Zen master Miaofeng, who was funded by the Wanli Emperor.[3]

During the Great Leap Forward movement in 1958, the pagoda was transferred to Chongqing Iron and Steel Company to be smelted along with other metal relics.[4] In 1959, the provincial communist committee stopped the action and transferred the pagoda to the Baoguo Temple in 1964.[5][6] In 1980, the provincial cultural department funded the construction of a pavilion at Baoguo Temple to house the pagoda. The pagoda was eventually moved into the pavilion in April 1982. [7]

In 2008, the Sichuan Earthquake damaged the pagoda.[8]

Protection

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On August 16, 1956, the pagoda was listed as the first batch of historical and revolutionary cultural relics protection units in Sichuan Province.[9] On July 7, 1980, when the second batch of Sichuan provincial cultural relics protection units was re-announced, it was merged into Fuhu Temple.[10] On April 16, 1991, it was announced as the third batch of cultural relics protection units in Sichuan Province.[11] In 2006, it was designated as one of the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Site of China.[12]

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  • sketch by Virgil C. Hart depicting the pagoda in 1888
    sketch by Virgil C. Hart depicting the pagoda in 1888
  • the Pagoda in 1930s
    the Pagoda in 1930s
  • outside view of Huayan Pagoda Pavilion
    outside view of Huayan Pagoda Pavilion

References

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  1. ^ 陈述舟 (1988). "峨眉山伏虎寺及其铜塔". 四川文物 (2): 59-62. CNKI SCWW198802017.
  2. ^ a b 王福谆 (2013). ""我国古代大型铸铜文物"系列文章之九 古代大型铜塔和铜塔刹". 铸造设备与工艺 (2): 60-66. CNKI ZSBY201302022.
  3. ^ a b 熊锋 (2006). "峨眉山华严铜塔铸造年代初探". 四川文物 (5): 90-93. CNKI SCWW200605011.
  4. ^ 张剑葳著 (2015). 中国古代金属建筑研究. 南京: 东南大学出版社. p. 240. ISBN 978-7-5641-6218-4.
  5. ^ 孙健三著; 孙明经摄影 (2018). 中国百年影像档案 孙明经纪实摄影研究 2 1938 从峨眉到乐山. 杭州: 浙江摄影出版社. p. 37. ISBN 978-7-5514-2124-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Wang, Jingru (1996). 四川省地方志 峨眉山志 (in Chinese). 四川科学技术出版社. p. 36.
  7. ^ 陈述舟 (1988). "峨眉山伏虎寺及其铜塔". 四川文物 (2): 59–62. CNKI SCWW198802017.
  8. ^ 《汶川特大地震抗震救灾志》编纂委员会编 (2015). 汶川特大地震抗震救灾志 卷4 地震灾害志. 北京: 方志出版社. p. 853. ISBN 978-7-5144-1221-5.
  9. ^ 四川省人民委员会 (1956-08-16). 四川省人民委员会关于在工农业生产建设中注意保护文物的通知  (in Chinese) – via Wikisource.
  10. ^ 四川省人民政府 (1980-07-07). 关于重新公布全省文物保护单位名单的通知（川府发〔1980〕154号）  (in Chinese) – via Wikisource.
  11. ^ 四川省人民政府川府發（1991）50號文件《關於公布第三批省級重點文物保護單位的通知》
  12. ^ "国务院关于核定并公布第六批全国重点文物保护单位的通知（国发〔2006〕19号）". 中国政府网. 2006-05-25. Archived from the original on 2006-06-13.
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