Guangji Temple (Tianjin)

Guangji Temple
广济寺
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DeityChan Buddhism
Location
LocationBaodi District, Tianjin
CountryChina
Guangji Temple (Tianjin) is located in China
Guangji Temple (Tianjin)
Shown within China
Geographic coordinates39°43′59″N 117°18′42″E / 39.733144°N 117.311697°E / 39.733144; 117.311697
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
FounderHongyan
Date established1005
Completed2007 (reconstruction)

Guangji Temple (simplified Chinese: 广济寺; traditional Chinese: 廣濟寺; pinyin: Guǎngjì Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Baodi District of Tianjin, China. Originally built in the Liao dynasty (907–1125), it is a cultural and artistic treasure in the Chinese architecture history. However, after the Communists seized the city, the magistrate presided over the destruction of the temple. The present version was completed in 2007, which was just the 1002 year after the original temple was built.

History

According to the tablet inscription in the temple, Guangji Temple was first built by master Hongyan (弘演) in 1005, which was the Tonghe era (983–1012) of the reign of Emperor Shengzong of Liao dynasty (907–1125). After his death, his disciples Daoguang (道广) and Yihong (一弘) inherited the behest of their teacher, and the complex was finally completed in 1025.[1]

In 1932, the eminent architect Liang Sicheng surveyed the temple, he made a detailed record of its buildings and took pictures, which was written into his book Architecture History in China.[2][1]

In 1947, after the People's Liberation Army seized Tianjin, the than magistrate Yu Sheng (于生) ordered to demolish the temple and its wood were used to the Bailonggang Bridge (白龙港大桥), which was being built at that time.[1][3]

In 2005, the local government started a reconstruction project with the original sample of Liao dynasty architectural style, which lasted for three year.[3][4][5][6]

Architecture

Hall of Three Bodhisattva

Constructed on a 0.2-metre (7.9 in) high pedestal, the hall is 24.5-metre (80 ft) long and 18-metre (59 ft) wide.[3][2]

The Hall of Three Bodhisattva enshrines the three Bodhisattva, namely Guanyin, Manjusri and Samantabhadra. They are sitting on the lotus throne at the altar in the middle of the hall. Eight statues of Xieshi Bodhisattva (胁侍菩萨; Xieshi means Bodhisattva's warrior attendant) are placed in front of the statues of Three Bodhisattva. Six statues of Xieshi Bodhisattva and statues of Nryana (金刚力士) and Skanda are placed under the altar. The statues of Eighteen Arhats stand on both sides of the hall.[3][2][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c 追忆辽代的千年古刹 宝坻城内西街广济寺(组图). 163.com (in Chinese). 2014-01-05.
  2. ^ a b c Liang Sicheng (2005), p. 219, 224–227 (Photos).
  3. ^ a b c d 追忆辽代的千年古刹 宝坻城内西街广济寺(组图). enorth.com.cn (in Chinese). 2014-01-05.
  4. ^ 中华古建筑艺术瑰宝：天津宝坻广济寺三大士殿. baidu.com (in Chinese). 2017-06-01.
  5. ^ 天津市宝坻千年古寺广济寺将“重见天日”(图). Sohu (in Chinese). 2007-05-16.
  6. ^ 宝坻广济寺(图) [Guangji Temple in Baodi]. 163.com (in Chinese). 2014-08-04.
  7. ^ Liang Sicheng (2010), p. 262, 263, 264–267 (Photos).

Further reading

  • Liang Sicheng (2005). "Chapter Six: Five dynasties, Song, Liao and Jin dynasties's Real Objects" 《第六章：五代·宋·辽·金之实物》. 《中国建筑史》 [Architecture History in China] (in Chinese). Heping District, Tianjin: Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House. ISBN 7-5306-4168-9.
  • Liang Sicheng (2010). "Liao dynasty: Statues in the Hall of Three Bodhisattva in Baodi, Hebei" 《辽一：河北宝坻三大士殿造像》. In Lin Zhu (ed.). 《佛像的历史》 [History of Buddhist Statues] (in Chinese). Beijing: China Youth Press. ISBN 978-7-5006-9253-9.