Xiantong Temple (显通寺) is located on the northern side of Taihuai Town in Wutai Mountain, Shanxi Province. It is one of the largest and oldest temples in Wutai Mountain, as well as one of the five major Zen centers in the area, holding the position of the foremost temple among all the mountain’s monasteries. Along with Baima Temple in Luoyang, it is recognized as one of the earliest temples in China. The temple was originally built during the Yongping era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 69) and was initially named Dafu Lingjiu Temple. It was expanded during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty and underwent renovations during the Tang Dynasty when it was renamed Dahua Yan Temple. In the early Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt, and the founding emperor granted it the name “Daxiantong Temple.”
The temple faces south and covers an area of approximately 80,000 square meters, with over 400 various buildings, most of which date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Along the central axis, there are seven main halls, which include the Guanyin Hall, Wenshu Hall, Mahaviro Hall, Wuliang Hall, Qianbo Hall, Copper Hall, and the Sutra Repository. The Copper Hall, cast in the 38th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1610), is made of 100,000 pounds of bronze and is one of the best-preserved copper halls in China.
Highlghts of Xiantong Temple
Copper Hall (铜殿)
The Copper Hall stands 8.3 meters tall, 4.7 meters wide, and 4.5 meters deep, constructed from 100,000 pounds of bronze. The hall features a square floor plan, measuring 9 feet wide and 8 feet deep, with a height exceeding 10 feet. Its exterior is designed with two tiers, while the interior contains a single chamber supported by four corner pillars, whose bases resemble drums. The upper level of the hall has six doors on each side, while the lower level has eight doors on each side. The four walls of the hall are adorned with thousands of small golden Buddha statues, shimmering and radiating light. The central area houses a 3-foot tall bronze Buddha statue, surrounded by the numerous smaller figures, which collectively are known as the “Ten Thousand Buddhas.”
The Copper Hall was constructed in the 37th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (AD 1609) under the guidance of Master Miaofeng, who was a disciple of Empress Dowager Li, Wanli’s mother. Funded by donations from 13 provinces and cities across the country, three Copper Halls were cast in total: one for Emei Mountain, one for Baohua Mountain in Nanjing, and one for Wutai Mountain. All three halls were cast in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, and then transported to their respective locations for assembly. Today, only the Copper Hall at Wutai Mountain remains.
The hall has a square shape, with a two-tiered roof standing approximately 5 meters tall. Its surroundings are decorated with floral patterns on the lattice screens and illustrations of birds and flowers on the doorways.
Originally, there were five copper pagodas cast at the same time, arranged to symbolize the five peaks of Wutai Mountain, located in the directions of east, west, south, north, and center. Unfortunately, during the Japanese invasion of China, three of the pagodas were stolen by invaders, leaving only the east and west pagodas standing. Each pagoda has 13 tiers and stands 8 meters tall, with the body covered in Buddhist images, and the square base features a statue of a warrior at each corner, holding or supporting the pagoda above. At the southwest corner of the two pagodas is a small copper shrine, about the size of a thumb, housing a tiny statue of the earth god. Three iron pagodas have since been added to the original site. Both the Copper Hall and the Copper Pagodas are adorned with gold leaf.
Scripture Hall (藏经殿)
On either side of the Copper Hall are two elegant, small, white, two-tiered brick halls. The highest of these is the Scripture Hall, commonly referred to as the rear hall, which originally housed scriptures but has now been transformed into a museum displaying cultural relics. Among the handcrafted items showcased are a golden wind-warding stamp from the Northern Wei Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, a bronze statue of sandalwood Buddha, stone-carved Avalokiteshvara and her attendant from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and various Qing Dynasty artifacts, including a porcelain statue of Ji Gong, a shepherd vase depicting Su Wu, wooden carvings of Shancai and Avalokiteshvara, as well as bronze figures of Liu Hai playing with a golden toad and the 48-armed Avalokiteshvara. Additionally, the hall features crystal and silver pagodas, along with colorful cloisonné offerings.
The hall also showcases paintings and calligraphy, including the “Leifeng Pagoda Sutra” printed during the Kai Bao era of the Northern Song Dynasty, horses and Avalokiteshvara painted by Zhao Ziang and his wife in the early Yuan Dynasty, and a portrayal of Guan Yu painted by Shen Zhou in the Ming Dynasty. A notable piece is the depiction of the 18 Arhats by Ding Yunpeng on small Bodhi leaves.
Limitless Hall (无量殿)
The Limitless Hall at Xiantong Temple in Wutai Mountain is composed of two levels, with seven lit and three dark rooms. It features a wooden structure, measuring 28.2 meters wide, 16 meters deep, and 20.3 meters high, topped with a double-eaved roof supported by a brick arch. The hall is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese brick and stone architectural art, showcasing three consecutive arches in alignment, with the side walls acting as the supporting feet for the arches. Each room is connected by open archways, intricately carved with exquisite designs. The exterior of the hall is adorned with brick-carved floral patterns, while the interior features a suspended caisson ceiling resembling a flower-covered treasure dome. The hall enshrines a statue of the Limitless Buddha.
Among the treasures preserved within is a remarkable “Huayan Sutra” tower, a unique masterpiece composed of white satin measuring 5.7 meters long and 1.7 meters wide, depicting a seven-tiered pagoda. The railing features a curving design, and the eaves are intricately crafted, while the white satin is inscribed in tiny, meticulous script with the complete text of the “Huayan Sutra,” totaling 600,043 characters. This remarkable work was completed over a span of twelve years by Xu Dexing from Suzhou during the reign of Emperor Kangxi.
Great Buddha Hall (大佛殿)
The Great Buddha Hall was reconstructed in the 25th year of the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu reign (1899) and is built with a wooden structure. Known as the Hall of Great Strength, it serves as the venue for grand Buddhist ceremonies and occupies approximately 0.8 acres. The hall is impressive and solemn, with a high, suspended plaque bearing the words “True Suchness and Conditional Response,” inscribed by Emperor Kangxi, hanging prominently from the main beam. Below the plaque, a horizontal banner and decorative silk pennants adorn the space.
In the hall, three main Buddha statues are arranged side by side: in the center sits Shakyamuni Buddha, flanked by the Medicine Buddha to the east and Amitabha Buddha to the west. The walls of the hall feature statues of the Eighteen Arhats, all crafted during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The floor in front of the Buddhas is spacious, with a Buddhist lamp illuminating the altar, a censer burning incense, and a variety of offerings, including colorful fruits and beautiful fresh flowers. On the eastern altar, musical instruments used in Buddhist ceremonies – such as drums, chimes, bells, and wooden fish – are also displayed. Monks at the temple conduct their daily rituals here, and on significant Buddhist festival days, monks and nuns from various temples gather in their robes to participate in the ceremonies led by the Wutai Mountain Buddhist Association.
