Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t1.24

v1.c7.s3.t1.24

Nanzen-ji Temple is situated on the west of Lijia town, southwest of Wutai County. The time of its original establishment is unclear. The temple is rebuilt on the Jianzhong, third year of Emperor Dezong of Tang (782 CE) and the Great Buddha’s Hall (Mahavira Hall) built at that time has successfully survived from numerous natural and manmade disasters and has been preserved up to now as the only one wood structure architecture established during the Tang Dynasty, we can see today. The statue of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, along with the colourful statues of its disciples, Bodhisattvas and heavenly king are all the relics of the Tang Dynasty, a perfect embodiment of sculpture style of that time.