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Lingyan Temple Forest of Stupas
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Lingyan Temple Forest of Stupas
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Lingyan Temple Forest of Stupas
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Lingyan Temple Forest of Stupas
CHINA, Shandong, Jinan
The forest of stupas is located to the west of Lingyan Temple. There are a total of 167 funerary stupas of eminent monks dating from the Tang (618-907) through to the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. There are also 81 stone memorial steles. Such a collection is rare in terms of the number, time span, and the differences in style. These stupas are comparable to those at Shaolin Temple.
There is a stone walkway along the center with stupas erected in clusters on either side. The stupas can be classified into six types: tablet-shaped, bell-shaped, drum-shaped, Tibetan style, sutra pillar-style, and pavilion-style. The pavilion-style pagodas are the largest and they include the Huichong Stupa built during the rule of Emperor Xuanzong (reigned 712-756) of the Tang dynasty, and the Haihui Stupa that Chan Master Miaokong built for many monastics in 1123.
The single-story double-eave Huichong Stupa is 5.3 m high. It consists of a cuboid stupa body on a Sumeru base. At the front there is a doorway with a tympanum and arch above. The other three sides have false doors with panels that appear to be half opened. Inside the pagoda there is a small chamber with an arched ceiling. The eaves are in the form of corbeling. The spire consists of a Sumeru base followed by decorative leaves, an upright lotus, and a jewel. |
