Qixia Temple Pagoda of Sarira

Qixia Temple Pagoda of Sarira

The Qixia Temple Pagoda of Sarira is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Pagoda of Sarira is situated to the south of the Scripture Depository at Qixia Temple. Legend has it that Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty once encountered a divine nun and received hundreds of sariras. After ascending the throne, he intended to revive Buddhism and issued two imperial edicts, instructing each of the 83 prefectures across the empire to select a temple with scenic surroundings or a tranquil monastery to build a pagoda of sarira. He also dispatched eminent monks to transport the sariras to various locations for enshrinement in the pagodas. A special decree was issued to first send them to Qixia Temple in Jiangzhou (Nanjing was known as Jiangzhou during the Sui Dynasty), where the Pagoda of Sarira was subsequently built.

Pagoda of Sarira

During the Sui Dynasty, the original pagoda was a wooden structure (completed in the first year of the Renshou era of Emperor Wen of Sui, 601 AD), but it was destroyed over time due to weathering. By the Southern Tang Dynasty, when Buddhism flourished again, the renowned cultural figures Gao Yue and Lin Renzhao of the Southern Tang oversaw the reconstruction of Qixia Temple and initiated the rebuilding of the pagoda, resulting in the current stone pagoda modeled after wooden structures. Gao Yue also authored a volume titled "Record of the Pagoda of Sarira." He was later buried on the slopes outside the temple grounds.

The Pagoda of Sarira is a stone structure. Though not large in scale, its craftsmanship is extremely refined. It was constructed by combining limestone and marble of various shapes. Its structure involved prefabricating the necessary stone components, which were then assembled using mortise-and-tenon joints, resulting in a precise and sturdy build that has remained intact despite a thousand years of wind, rain, wars, and disasters. The pagoda is octagonal with five levels, totaling seven stories including the base, and stands 18.04 meters tall, featuring a unique design. It consists of a Sumeru pedestal base and five tiers of densely eaved tower chambers.

The base has two levels: the first level is carved with intertwined lotus patterns, while the second level features designs of flying phoenixes and lotuses. The eight sides of the base are adorned with wave motifs and sculptures of dragons, phoenixes, birds, beasts, fish, shrimp, crabs, and turtles—some riding clouds, some emerging from forests, others surfacing from waves. The images are vivid and lifelike. The Sumeru pedestal is shaped like an inverted lotus, above which is a waisted base platform. The corner pillars are carved with Vajra guardians, warriors, standing dragons, and mythical beasts supporting the tower body. The base platform’s eight sides feature bas-reliefs depicting the Eight Great Deeds of Shakyamuni Buddha: conception in the womb, birth under the tree, renunciation and departure from the city, asceticism in the snowy mountains, subjugation of the demon army, enlightenment under the tree, preaching in the Deer Park, and entering nirvana in the Crane Grove. These carvings artistically portray the legendary life of Shakyamuni Buddha, with imaginative compositions, lifelike expressions, exquisitely arranged costumes and props, and skillfully integrated backgrounds of mountains, rivers, and trees. This set of reliefs reflects the religious function of the pagoda. Between the Sumeru pedestal and the tower body are three layers of lotus petal discs, with the petals incised with lotus-patterned designs, showcasing the characteristics of traditional Chinese pattern art. The tower body consists of five tiers of densely eaved chambers: the first tier chamber has carvings on all eight sides. The first, third, fifth, and seventh sides depict the Four Heavenly Kings (clad in armor and wielding weapons, appearing majestic, with the names of the sculptors Wang Wenzai, Ding Yangu, and Xu Zhilian inscribed). The second side shows Samantabhadra riding an elephant, while the fourth and eighth sides feature panel doors (closed with knockers and door studs). The sixth side is damaged, but it is believed to have been a carving of Manjushri. The second to fifth tiers of the tower chamber each have eight sides, with two niches per side, each housing a Buddha statue, totaling 64 small Buddha statues symbolizing the Thousand Buddha World. The top of the pagoda features densely eaved layers shaped like tubular tiles, with six stacked stone layers decorated with lotus petals, tassel patterns, and cloud motifs, representing the inverted alms bowl, finial wheels, and fire pearl.

In the early years of the Republic of China, the pagoda was renovated under the direction of Ye Gongchuo and designed by Liu Dunzhen. The finial wheel on the current pagoda top was reconstructed at that time in imitation of the Northern Wei Dynasty’s Yunzhong Temple. The two Buddha statues that originally stood in front of the pagoda were also moved to the front of the Three Saints Hall east of the pagoda that same year. In 1993, the National Cultural Heritage Administration carried out maintenance on the pagoda, reattaching eight large fallen stone components to their original broken sections. Cracks in the pagoda body and eaves were filled with epoxy resin and other chemical adhesives. Following the principle of preserving the original appearance, the original architectural style of the Southern Tang Dynasty was maintained. The Pagoda of Sarira represents the pinnacle of carving art from the Southern Tang era, carrying forward the spirit of Sui and Tang Buddhist art and paving the way for Song and Yuan Buddhist art. It holds an important place in the history of Chinese Buddhist architecture and sculpture. In 1988, it was listed as part of the third group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Address: Eastward along the mountain path outside the southern wall of Qixia Temple in the suburbs of Nanjing

Type: Ancient Pagoda

Recommended Visiting Time: About 30 minutes

Phone: 025-85766328; 025-68038823

Official Website: http://www.njqixiasi.com/

Opening Hours:

7:00-17:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Qixia Mountain admission fee. Peak season (during the Red Leaf Festival, around October–December): adult ticket 40 RMB (subject to possible adjustments); off-season adult ticket 25 RMB. Children between 1.3 m and 1.5 m, students, and seniors aged 60–69 with valid ID receive a 50% discount. Children under 1.3 m and seniors over 70 with valid ID are admitted free of charge.

Further Reading:

· First and Second Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units