Tianning Temple was originally established in the fifth year of Tang Dynasty’s Dazhong era (851 AD), initially named Guoning Temple. It was renamed Chongning Wanshou Temple in the second year of Song Dynasty’s Zongning era (1106 AD), and then changed to Daining Wanshou Temple in the first year of Kaiyuan era (1111 AD). During the Jianyan period, the temple was destroyed by war but was soon rebuilt.
In the second year of Yuan Dynasty’s Zhida era (1309 AD), it was destroyed by Japanese pirates and later reconstructed. In the fifteenth year of Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu era (1382 AD), it was renamed Tianning Zen Temple. In modern times, it is commonly referred to as Tianning Temple. Originally, there were two pagodas, east and west, in front of the temple; the eastern pagoda collapsed during the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu period. In 1995, archaeological work was conducted on the eastern pagoda’s foundation as part of Zhongshan’s renovation, uncovering the remains of the collapsed pagoda foundation. The existing structure is the Western Pagoda of Tianning Temple. The pagoda bricks bear the inscription ‘Made in the fourth year of Xiantong era (863 AD)’, and during the 1995 restoration of the Western Pagoda, many bricks from the Xiantong period were discovered, hence the name ‘Cheng Tong Pagoda’. Due to its relatively small size and turtle-like shape, it is commonly known as the ‘Turtle Pagoda’. The pagoda of Tianning Temple is constructed of bricks, with a parabolic elevation and a square plan, approximately 3.20 meters on each side, consisting of five levels that contract progressively. Each level features brick eaves that extend outwards, distinct from the common Tang dynasty pagodas found in the north. The interior of the pagoda is cylindrical, with the ground floor having four pot-like doors, and each upper level having niches on all four walls. The pagoda stands approximately 12 meters tall, with walls about 0.76 meters thick, and covers an area of 10.42 square meters. The Tianning Temple Pagoda is one of the oldest existing Tang dynasty brick pagodas in Zhejiang Province and is also the only surviving example of a Tang dynasty temple’s twin pagodas in China, playing a significant role in the study of Tang dynasty religious culture and Buddhist architecture. The Western Pagoda has been restored to its original appearance. In 2003, archaeological excavations were conducted on the site of Tianning Temple, which clarified the layout of the temple to the east of the central axis during the Tang and Song dynasties, and the site is now protected in situ. The site is open to visitors all year round, with full-day access.Tianning Temple Western Pagoda
Tianning Temple was originally established in the fifth year of Tang Dynasty’s Dazhong era (851 AD), initially named Guoning Temple. […]
