The ingenuity of temples—the architectural art of Minnan style
The architectural complex of Nanputuo Temple is a history of Minnan construction written with stone and wood.Built against the mountain,facing south,the temple boasts a magnificent overall presence.The main halls rise in tiers along the central axis,arranged in a staggered and harmonious manner.The eaves feature the iconic arched,upturned corners of Minnan architecture,adorned with colorful and vibrant decorative patterns created by the cutting and polishing techniques,shimmering in the sunlight.
Hall of Heavenly Kings:The first opening of the Buddhist gate.Located at the forefront of the central axis,the Hall of Heavenly Kings features a double-eaved,hipped roof with soaring ridges,exuding grandeur and magnificence.The main entrance to the temple is in front of the main hall.Inside,a smiling Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the center,flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings with glaring eyes.Behind the hall stands the Bodhisattva Weituo,his hands clasped in prayer,a powerful yet gentle presence.
The Great Buddha Hall:The heart of the temple.This is the central structure of the entire temple,a nine-bay,double-eaved hip-roof building.The Three Buddhas of the Three Worlds are enshrined in the center,with the Three Western Saints behind them.The vast wooden structure,the solemn Buddha statues,and the swirling incense smoke create a solemn and ethereal religious atmosphere.
The Great Compassion Hall:The Guanyin worship amidst octagonal eaves.The Great Compassion Hall is the most architecturally distinctive hall in Nanputuo Temple,holding a special place in the hearts of believers in southern Fujian.Standing on a high,polygonal stone platform,the three-story octagonal pavilion-style building boasts an ingenious design and a tight structure,with overlapping brackets forming a caisson ceiling at the top.The main hall houses an exquisitely crafted wooden Thousand-Hand Guanyin statue,with four sides facing the four gates,a unique and ingenious design.Originally named the Great Compassion Pavilion by Shi Lang in the early Qing Dynasty,it was rebuilt by Master Taixu in 1930 and underwent partial renovations in 2016.
The Sutra Repository:A repository of cultural relics.This is the tallest building in the temple,with a double-eaved hip roof and seven bays.The upper floor houses scriptures,while the lower floor serves as a Dharma hall.The repository contains numerous Buddhist artifacts,including the most precious treasures such as a blood-written copy of the Lotus Sutra from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty,and a white porcelain Guanyin statue by He Chaozong,as well as scriptures such as the Ming Tripitaka and the Sand Tripitaka,and valuable sculptures such as Tang Dynasty bronze statues and Burmese white jade Buddhas.
The Release Pond and Pagodas:Two hexagonal,thirteen-story stone pagodas stand beside the Release Pond and Lotus Pond,respectively,with seven white stone pagodas arranged side-by-side between the two ponds,creating a tranquil and solemn scene.Koi carp swim leisurely in the pond,attracting tourists who often pause to observe and experience the tranquility of Zen.
Photography Tips:
The octagonal,triple-eaved roof of the Great Compassion Hall,bathed in the twilight light,offers distinct layers and is an excellent subject for architectural photography;the Sutra Repository provides a great vantage point for panoramic views of the temple;the release pond in front of the temple reflects the pagoda and the sky,perfect for symmetrical compositions.
Mountainous Paradise–Climbing Wulao Peak to Embrace the Splendor of Xiamen
Wulao Peak:Five old men dwelling overlooking the sea.Nanputuo Temple is nestled against Wulao Peak,its five peaks rising majestically into the sky,resembling five old men sitting and gazing at the sea,hence the name.On a clear day,climbing to the summit offers a panoramic view of Xiamen University's Siming Campus,with its red-tiled roofs and green trees;on the other side,one can gaze upon Gulangyu Island and the azure sea and sky,taking in the full beauty of Xiamen.During the climb,the sea breeze caresses your face,and amidst the swirling mist,the ancient temple and the bustling city intertwine to create a picturesque scene.
The starting point for the hike is located behind the Sutra Repository.After passing a huge golden"Buddha"character carved on a stone,one ascends the steps.Along the way,one passes the"Great Buddha"character inscribed by the monk Zhenhui during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty,as well as the ruins of Puzhao Temple,the Guanghao Monk's Pagoda,Doushuai Temple,Taixu Pavilion,the Taixu Master Memorial Pagoda,Fuyun Rock,and Songtao Pavilion,finally reaching the summit.Safety railings have been added to both sides of the trail,and three viewing platforms,guide maps,and an intelligent voice system have been added,significantly improving the experience.The round trip takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours,with most sections shaded by trees,making it accessible to most visitors.
Cliff Carvings:An Open-Air Calligraphy Exhibition in the Mountains.Numerous cliff carvings are scattered along the Wulao Peak hiking route,traces of ancient calligraphy.The most famous is the huge"Buddha"character inscribed by the monk Zhenhui during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty,several meters in diameter,powerful and vigorous.Other carvings include"Buddha Kingdom by the Sea and Sky,"offering both cultural exploration and popular photo opportunities.
Buddha Character Screen Wall:A Meditation Ritual Before Entering the Temple.Before entering Nanputuo Temple,a huge golden screen wall displaying the character"Buddha"appears,its powerful strokes making it a must-see for tourists taking photos and a spiritual ritual before entering the ancient temple.
A Place of Tranquility—The Temple's Humanistic Layout
Besides the main hall along the central axis,Nanputuo Temple also includes the Minnan Buddhist Academy,the Buddhist Cultivation Institute,the Meditation Hall,and the Guest Hall.The bell tower and drum tower on the east and west sides echo each other,creating a magnificent and imposing structure.The meditation hall is on the west side,and the Minnan Buddhist Academy on the east,forming a complete functional layout for the temple.A memorial pagoda for Master Taixu,a highly influential monk in modern Chinese Buddhism,was recently built behind the temple.The entire temple complex,with its varying heights and staggered layouts,offers a sense of tranquility at every turn.
