The Beamless Hall of Bao'an Temple

The Beamless Hall of Bao'an Temple

The Beamless Hall of Bao'an Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Wuxi Municipality.

The Beamless Hall of Bao'an Temple is located within the compound of the former Nanjing Road Subdistrict Office on Tangnan Road in Wuxi.

Bao'an Temple was originally built in the early Datong era (502–504 AD) during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, dating back approximately 1,500 years, making it one of the top ten ancient temples in Wuxi. It was renovated during the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song Dynasty, and in the early Qiandao era, Emperor Xiaozong of the Song bestowed the plaque “Bao’an Chan Temple.” It fell into decline during the Yuan Dynasty. In the 28th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1395), it was rebuilt and renamed Bao’an Jiao Temple. During the Jiajing era (1523), Monk Guangcai expanded it, constructing a mountain gate, moon platform, stone walls, passageways, meditation halls, and monks’ quarters, while renovating the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Huiji Hall, and Seven Buddhas Pavilion. The Huiji Hall, also known as the Huiji Hall, was built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1574) and was said to have flourished with incense and worshippers. In the 26th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1761), Monk Baolun built the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion; in the 6th year of the Jiaqing era (1801), Monk Jiufeng rebuilt the mountain gate; and in the 2nd year of the Daoguang era (1822), Monk Xihuai built the dining hall.

At that time, Bao'an Temple was located on the southern outskirts of Wuxi, quiet and elegant. According to *A Brief Account of the Scenic Spots of Mount Xi*, “The temple gate faces a flowing stream, surrounded by lush ancient trees. Upon entering, two monks’ quarters flank the path, with tall trees and slender bamboo flourishing all around.” It also noted that the temple once housed the Donglin Retreat, where the Ming scholar Shao Bao (also known as Bao) and Hua Chuan’an studied. Shao Bao once wrote a poem: “Alone I cherish this ancient temple near the southern city, / With white wine and a green lamp I sit till the second watch. / The North Star hangs high as stars turn overhead, / While mist disperses at Donglin and the moon begins to glow. / Ten years on a meditation mat, I seek my old master, / A thousand miles back by carriage, I ask not for the way. / I’d build a pavilion here by the same bamboo grove, / With golden light for shadows and moonbeams for sound.” This poem was widely recited. It is said that among the ruins of the original mountain gate, remnants of a broken stele inscribed by Shao Bao can still be found in the walls of nearby residential houses.

By the 10th year of the Xianfeng era (1860), many structures of Bao'an Temple were destroyed in warfare, leaving only three main halls. Today, only the Beamless Hall and an ancient ginkgo tree remain as historical witnesses. The Beamless Hall, also known as the Huiji Hall from the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, originally had three rooms across two sections, but now only the central two sections remain. It has stood for over 400 years. The hall is entirely constructed of brick, featuring a brick-and-stone arch structure without a single timber or pillar. The central bay includes a door, and the side bays have arched windows. Currently, only the central bay remains.

The exquisite architectural style of the Beamless Hall was popular during the Ming Dynasty. In Jiangsu Province, aside from Wuxi, similar examples can only be found in Nanjing and Jurong, Suzhou. On November 21, 1983, it was designated as a municipal-level cultural heritage site by the Wuxi Municipal People's Government.