Shi Si Temple is situated in Xier Village, Da Ji Township, Jingning County, on the Baixiang Mountain at an altitude of over 1000 meters. It is a religious structure that combines Buddhism and Taoism and serves as the main building of the Da Ji ancient architectural complex. Initially constructed in the tenth year of the Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty (1140 AD), it was originally named ‘Shi Si Yuan’. The sincere Earl Liu Ji inscribed the gate with ‘Shi Si Dao Chao’. In the first year of Xuande’s reign, it was changed from a courtyard to a temple. It was renovated several times during the Qing Dynasty. The temple is quite large, featuring the Mahavira Hall, Maitreya Buddha Hall, Sanqing Hall, Lady Ma’s Pavilion, Heart Sutra Bell Tower, and Mei’s Ancestral Hall, among others. The existing structures include the Mahavira Hall, Sanqing Hall, and Heart Sutra Bell Tower. All buildings employ the arch-brace structure, which is aesthetically pleasing and generous in size, with columns and beams that are more than one embrace in circumference. The Mahavira Hall is a wooden structure with five bays and four advances, featuring a double-eave hip roof, all with four upturned corners and two tuck points. According to the appraisal by experts from the Ancient Architecture Institute, it is an architectural style between the Song and Yuan dynasties. Inside the hall, there are statues of Sakyamuni and the Twenty-Four Heavenly Kings, each with distinct postures and lifelike expressions. The Heart Sutra Bell Tower hangs a Ming Dynasty cast bronze bell weighing a thousand catties, inscribed with the Heart Sutra. The temple is open all year round from 9:00 to 18:00.
Shi Si Temple
Shi Si Temple is situated in Xier Village, Da Ji Township, Jingning County, on the Baixiang Mountain at an altitude […]
