Foguang Temple (Buddha Light Temple) on Mount Wutai

The East Main Hall is the principal structure of Foguang Temple, situated atop a high platform. Its exterior is simple and elegant, with doors, windows, walls, brackets, columns, and beams all painted in a deep red hue. Inside the hall, the central Buddha altar spans across five bays and features 35 statues. At the center of the altar is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by Maitreya Buddha on the left and Amitabha Buddha on the right. To the far left is a statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva riding an elephant, while to the far right is Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a lion. Standing in front of Shakyamuni are his disciples Ananda and Kashyapa, with each of the three Buddhas accompanied by four bodhisattvas and two donor bodhisattvas. Two guardian deities stand in front of the altar. These 35 statues are arranged in a hierarchical order, each with distinct expressions and characteristics, reflecting their respective roles.

The sculptures in the East Main Hall also include two realistic portraits. One is a statue of Ning Gongyu, the patroness of the temple, depicted as a woman in her forties with a plump face and strong physique. She is seated with her hands folded, exuding an air of elegance and piety. The other is a statue of Monk Yuancheng, who oversaw the reconstruction of the hall. His sculpture portrays him with a prominent forehead, high cheekbones, and hollowed cheeks, seated in a solemn and meditative posture.

Surrounding the Buddha altar, the hall’s walls are lined with 296 arhat statues from the Ming Dynasty. Originally, there were 500 statues, but some were damaged when the rear wall collapsed in 1954 due to rainwater erosion. Behind the Buddha altar is an 80-centimeter-long, 30-centimeter-high Tang Dynasty mural depicting a celestial king subduing demons. Another mural, painted in 1122 during the Northern Song Dynasty, features seven circular halos, each containing 10 Buddha figures, with their names inscribed in rectangular frames below. These murals, along with the Buddha statues, the blackened marks beneath the beams, and the architecture of the East Main Hall itself, are collectively known as the “Four Wonders” of Foguang Temple.

Manjushri Hall is located on the northern side of the front courtyard of Foguang Temple. The hall’s framework is notable for its use of long, robust wooden beams, supported between two frames by diagonal braces, forming a structure similar to a “V-shaped truss.” This design increases the span and reduces the number of supporting columns, creating a more spacious interior.

Inside the hall, the Buddha altar houses seven statues, with the central figure being Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a blue lion. Flanking him are two attendant bodhisattvas, all displaying the stylistic features typical of Jin Dynasty sculptures. These statues are recognized as the earliest surviving examples of the “Seven Statues of Manjushri” in China.

The east, west, and north walls of the hall originally featured colorful murals depicting 500 arhats, though only 245 of these figures remain today. Both the statues and murals were restored during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty (1488–1505). The unique architectural structure of Manjushri Hall represents a rare form in ancient Chinese wooden architecture, embodying the distinctive characteristics of Liao and Jin dynasty buildings.

Located southeast of the East Main Hall at Foguang Temple, the Patriarch Pagoda is a hexagonal brick structure built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is the only remaining structure from the temple after the devastating destruction during the Huichang Persecution of Buddhism in 845 AD, making it one of the two surviving ancient pagodas from the Northern Wei period. The pagoda’s lower level is hollow with a door on the western side, while the upper level is solid with only a false door. The base consists of six layers of stepped green bricks, topped by a three-layered platform supporting the hexagonal pagoda body. The front of the pagoda features a flattened arched door, and the top is adorned with lotus petal-shaped flames. Inside, it houses statues of two Zen patriarchs, Wuming and Huiming.

The Tang Dynasty Stone Buddha is a white marble statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, standing at a total height of 1.08 meters with a width of 0.52 meters. The Buddha sits in a meditation posture on a Sumeru pedestal, which is 1.43 meters high, with lotus petal carvings and drapery that appears to flow naturally. The Buddha’s face is round and full, with eyes gently closed in a meditative state. The hair is styled in the Gandhara tradition, with spiraled curls. The robe drapes across the chest with flowing lines, and the statue exudes a sense of serene contemplation.

Beneath the pedestal is a stone base approximately 1 meter high, inscribed with the following: “On the 15th day of the 11th month of the 4th year of Tianbao of the Great Tang (745 AD), this white marble statue of Shakyamuni Buddha was respectfully made by the people of Xizikou Village, Jingyi County, Boling, and placed at the Wuguang Jingguang Pagoda in Foguang Temple.” This inscription confirms that the statue was carved in 745 AD during the Tang Dynasty.

Flanking the Buddha are two smaller statues of his disciples, Ananda and Kasyapa, also carved from white marble. The Ananda statue stands 0.82 meters tall, while the Kasyapa statue is 0.87 meters tall. Both are depicted with simple lines, flowing robe patterns, and slight traces of color. Ananda’s expression is calm and composed, while Kasyapa appears youthful and handsome. Both figures stand on lotus pedestals with eyes slightly closed, embodying humility and devotion. These statues were also carved during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty.

Tayuan Temple (Pagoda Courtyard Temple)

Shuxiang Temple

Dailuoding Temple

Pusading Temple

Wuye Temple

Nanshan Temple

Fomu Cave

Nanchan Temple

Xiantong Temple