Shanxi Datong Huayan Temple (2-2)

Key sites to visit at Huayan Temple: Upper Huayan Temple built in Jin dynasty: Mahavira Hall Lower Huayan Temple built in Liao dynasty: Bhikshu Teaching Hall Huayan Temple does not follow the traditional central axis layout Instead, it is divided by terrain into the Upper Huayan Temple on the slope and the Lower Huayan Temple at the foot of the slope Both Upper and Lower Huayan Temples have their own central axes and mountain gates They are interconnected forming a unique dual-temple layout Figures 7.13.14: The hand-joined, tooth-exposed attendant Bodhisattva praised as the most beautiful Bodhisattva She stands with one leg slightly bent, her weight resting on the other leg Her broad shoulders tilt correspondingly Her waist is flexible and muscles elastic Her hips naturally twist Presenting an elegant S-shaped posture Her face is like a full moon Cheeks are full Chin is round and thick Eyebrows are fine like a crescent moon Eyelids droop with clear eyes The corners of her mouth lift in a serene, knowing smile Her white teeth are clearly visible In strict Buddhist sculpture exposed teeth are usually considered insufficiently solemn and reserved Unlike the strict Central Plains custom of not showing teeth when smiling The Khitan steppe culture is bold, straightforward, vivid, and robust This also shaped the Liao dynasty’s distinctive and unconventional sculptural aesthetics Legend has it that during the construction of Huayan Temple a young craftsman with exceptional skills was troubled by his inability to create the perfect Bodhisattva statue in his mind He was gloomy every day One day while wandering in the temple (or according to another version, in a dream) he encountered a beautiful and lively Khitan girl Inspiration struck He immortalized the moment of her hands joined in prayer and her charming smile Creating the unique and vibrant Bodhisattva statue we see today Another version says that in Figures 1.17, the Buddha was preaching and she was happy because she understood But the two statues below the Buddha in Figures 11 and 12 Figure 12 looks up at the Buddha Raising her small hand high to indicate she still has many questions Figure 11 looks annoyed As if saying, "Can you be quiet and not interrupt the Buddha’s sermon?" Figures 2 and 3 are two groups of statues inside the Mahavira Hall They all lean forward to express respect to the Buddha Like Shanhuasi Temple, the Mahavira Hall has a roof with the highest rank and most prestigious style: the double-eaved hip roof In the ancient strict ritual system the double-eaved hip roof was used for royal buildings such as palaces and altars Its status was supreme The highest horizontal ridge of the double-eaved hip roof is called the main ridge The ridges sloping down to the eaves at the four corners are called the hanging ridges Between the main ridge and hanging ridges are four sloping curved surfaces forming the roof A single-layer double-eaved hip roof with one layer of eaves is like a huge umbrella Solemnly covering the palace Making the entire palace simple and spacious from outside to inside Entering the Mahavira Hall the first thing that catches the eye is the tall and solemn Buddha statues They are unobstructed by anything This is because the hall uses the method of reducing and shifting columns While ensuring the overall structural safety The central area where the Buddha statues are enshrined reduces two rows of inner columns A total of 12 inner columns are removed!!! A deep, high, and spacious interior space provides ample room for Dharma assemblies, monks circumambulating the Buddha, and devotees worshiping They made breakthroughs and took risks compared to Tang and Song architecture: Super beams are placed on the remaining columns with increased spacing They replace the columns originally meant to bear the roof’s weight Short columns stand on the main beams Short beams rest on the short columns This layered trapezoidal bracket set gradually raises the roof height step by step The load is finally transferred to the supported ends at front and back Together with dougong brackets and mortise-and-tenon joints This wooden architectural treasure is presented before us This is also the greatest feature of Liao and Jin architecture