History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c34.s3.2

v2.c34.s3.2

With the exception of the examples just described, and a few others, all the temples in China, whether Confucian, Taoist or Buddhist, are based on the T'ing type, differing only in their dimensions. Generally speaking, the temple of a Buddhist monastery is enclosed by a wall, with a monumental gateway or P'ai-lu at the entrance and a series of three detached buildings beyond, placed one behind the other, on a central axis, with courts between, and communicating one with the other by means of covered corridors. The first building is the ex-voto hall with statues; the second is the principal temple, in which are the three images of the Buddhist triad, and the altar with the sacred vessels in front; the building in the rear contains sometimes a miniature dâgaba in marble, in which are enclosed supposed relics of Buddha. To the right and left of the enclosure, and placed symmetrically, are other isolated structures, such as the bell-tower, the library, the pagoda, and the monks' dwellings.