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Shuanglin Temple
Introducing Pingyao Shuanglin Temple
Located at Qiaotou Village, about 7 km southwest of Pingyao Ancient City, Shuanglin Temple was rebuilt in 571 AD during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) indicated by a stone stele within the complex. The temple was rebuilt on a large scale during Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) Dynasties, hence most of the buildings in the temple are in Ming and Qing Dynasties styles. It was originally called Zhongdu Temple but was renamed Shuanglin during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The term “shuang” means “two” or “double” while “lin” means “woods”, and together the name refers to one of Buddhist sutras which state that “nirvana is between two trees”. Unfortunately Shakyamuni never specified which two trees they were. Shuanglin Temple is surrounded by a high wall with a gate, giving it the appearance of a fortress. Laid out on a north–south axis, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Shakyamuni Hall, the Mahavira Hall and the Hall of Fertility Goddess are located on the central axis, from south to north. The Hall of Dharma Protectors, the Hall of Arhats, Bell Tower, and the Hall of One Thousand Buddha are located in the east; the Hall of the Land God, the Hall of Ksitigarbha, Drum Tower, and the Hall of Bodhisattvas are located in the west. Shuanglin Temple is notable for its collection of more than 2,000 decorated clay statues of various gods, warriors, Buddha, and other characters that are dated to the 12th-19th centuries. It is nicknamed the museum of colored sculptures. The clay sculptures were made with wooden molds and generally were produced in the Ming Dynasty. They form one of the most impressive collections of Ming sculptures, noted for their vivid colors, fine workmanship, and expressive postures. In 1997, Shuanglin Temple was listed by UNESCO under Pingyao as a World Heritage Site.
Pingyao Shuanglin Temple Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Shuang Lin Si 双林寺
• Best Time to Visit: Apr, May, Sept & Oct
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 - 2 hours
• Things to Do: Buddhism, clay and wood sculpures
• Opening Hours: 08:00 to 18:00 from Mar to Nov; 08:00 to 17:30 from Dec to Feb
• Entrance Fee: CNY35
• Address: Qiaotou Village, Zhongdu Township, Pingyao County, Shanxi Province
Why visit Pingyao Shuanglin Temple
Shuanglin Temple is noted for its colorful sculptures, lifelike in form, which were patterned on the design of the artistic traditions of the Song, Jin, Yuan & Ming dynasties. The themes depicted are generally religious in nature and relate to the daily life of people. They are considered among the finest examples of Chinese coloured sculptures. The number of colored sculptures is reported to be 2,052, out of which 1,650 are reported to be extant. The height of the sculptures varies between 0.3–3.5 meters (1 ft 0 in–11 ft 6 in). The formats are of bas-relief, high relief and in circular form. There are also wall sculptures and a few are suspended. Buddha, Bodhisattva, Warrior Guards, Arhat, heavenly generals and also common people are the sculptural themes. The background scenes depict towers, buildings, mountains, rivers, clouds, rocks, grasses, flowers, forested trees, and woodlands. The sculptures are displayed behind caged chambers in a tableaux form. There is also statue of husband and wife who took care of this shrine during the Chinese Revolution. The setting of the scene behind the statues is that of flowing water cascades or clouds, and as result the wooden halls appear like grottoes.
What to expect at Pingyao Shuanglin Temple
The Hall of Heavenly Kings
The Hall of Heavenly Kings is the first important hall inside a Buddhist temple. It is named due to the Four Heavenly Kings statues enshrined in the hall. The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. They are the protectors of the world and fighters of evil, each able to command a legion of supernatural creatures to protect the Dharma. The four Heavenly Kings standing under the eaves of the veranda are all 3 meters (10 ft.) in height and each one carries an implement of symbolic importance. The first is Dhṛtarāṣṭra who upholds the realm; he is the King of the east and God of music. His symbolic weapon is the pipa (a Chinese plucked string musical instrument). The second is Virūḍhaka, the King of the south and one who causes good growth of roots. He is the ruler of the wind. His symbolic weapon is the sword. The third is Virūpākṣa who sees all; he is the King of the west. His symbolic weapon is a snake that is representative of a dragon. As the eye in the sky, he sees people who do not believe in Buddhism and converts them. The final one is Vaiśravaṇa who hears everything. He is the chief of the four kings and protector of the north. He is the ruler of rain. His symbolic weapon is the umbrella. The Four Heavenly Kings are said to live in Mount Meru and their task is to protect the world in their direction respectively. Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the Hall of Heavenly Kings and at the back of his statue is a statue of Avalokitesvara sitting on a dog on the waves of the sea facing the northern Shakyamuni Hall.
The Shakyamuni Hall
Shakyamuni is one of the titles of Gautama Buddha, the central figure and founder of the Buddhist faith. In the center of Sakyamuni Hall is the sculpture of Shakyamuni sitting on lotus flower, attended by Manjusri and Samantabhadra on his left and right. The sculptures on the walls of the Shakyamuni Hall depict the legendary life of Shakyamuni. Though stories of Sakyamuni come from India, all figures are localized in distinctive Chinese style of Ming Dynasty. On the back of Shakyamuni Statue, facing the northern Mahavira Hall, is a sculpture of Avalokitesvara sitting on the pedestal with her right leg bent and left one stepping on a lotus leaf.
The Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall of Shuanlin Temple was reconstructed in the early Ming Dynasty. It is the largest building in typical Ming Dynasty architecture in the temple. Statues inshrined in the center of the Mahavira Hall are the Trikaya Buddha (The Three Bodies of Buddha), with Manjushri Buddhisattva and Samantabhadra standing by his sides, an Amitabha in the front. The Trikaya doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism says that Buddha has three kayas or bodies, the Dharmakaya (ultimate reality), the Saṃbhogakaya (divine incarnation of Buddha), and the Nirmanakaya (physical incarnation of Buddha).
The Hall of Arhats
An arhat is one who has gained insight into the true nature of existence and has achieved enlightenment by following the teachings of Buddha. The Hall of Arhats is located in front of the Bell Tower. A large sculpture of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin in Chinese, the Buddhist deity of mercy) is flanked by eighteen sculptures of arhats. The facial expressions of these arhats differ from each other. One arhat is drunk, one is sick, some are fat, and some are thin. The mute arhat is the most magnificent. His facial expression is heavily exaggerated, with pursed lips, a deeply furrowed brow, and piercing eyes, and his chest and belly are distended, as if to suggest he is struggling to breathe. His expression, coupled with his posture, implies that he has seen much injustice in the world but, as a mute, can only communicate his frustration through his body language.
The Hall of One Thousand Buddhas
The Hall of One Thousand Buddha is located behind the Bell Tower. Avalokitesvara sitting with her right leg bent and her left leg placed delicately on a lotus leaf is enshrined in this hall. A wonderful sculpture of Skanda, the heavenly guardian devoted to protecting Buddhist monasteries, is at her side. This Skanda sculpture is a rare-seen artistic masterpiece of Ming Dynasty painted sculpture. There are about 500 sculptures of Bodhisattva in the hall of One Thousand Buddha, some are riding mythical beasts, and some are sitting on auspicious clouds. 30 small-sized sculptures of donors whose prototypes were the ordinary people in nearby villages can be seen on the windowsills near the entrance.
The Hall of Bodhisattvas
The Hall of Bodhisattvas is located behind the Drum Tower. The One-thousand-hands Avalokitesvara takes centre-stage in the Bodhisattva Hall. The scripture of Avalokitesvara does not literally have a thousand arms. With gentle expression, dignified appearance, and bright colors, the Availoktesvara stretches her 26 hands to all directions to help those needed. 480 sculptures of Bodhisattvas are embedded on the walls inside. Each varies from others in facial expression and gestures.
How to get to Pingyao Shuanglin Temple
• By local bus: take Pingyao Bus 108 South Line to Shuanglinsi (Shuanglin Temple)
• Rent a car/bus from GoGrandChina to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Pingyao to Shuanglin Temple.
Additional travel advice on Pingyao Shuanglin Temple
• Most sculptures are under bar
• No inside photo allowed (enforced by video camera)