Shizhu Pagoda at Zhenru Temple

Shizhu Pagoda at Zhenru Temple

The Shizhu Pagoda at Zhenru Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Shizhu Pagoda at Zhenru Temple is located in front of Zhenru Temple in Chongshi Village, Panshi Town, Yueqing City. According to the Yongle Edition of the Yueqing County Annals, “Zhenru Temple was built by Monk Zhao in the first year of the Wende era during the Tang Dynasty.” Originally there were seven stone pagodas, but now only four remain. Each stands 5.16 meters tall with a single eave. Aside from slight differences in height and carvings, their forms are almost entirely identical. The base is hexagonal in plan, and the elevation is in the shape of an I-beam, with the waist of the pedestal featuring six-sided bas-relief scroll patterns within frames.

The hexagonal sides of the Shizhu Pagoda are adorned with bas-relief muscular figures instead of corner columns. These figures are either kneeling or sitting, their feet stepping on the lower architrave and heads supporting the upper architrave. From their posture to the exposed muscles and even facial expressions, all convey a sense of bearing heavy loads. The base is designed in the style of a Sumeru pedestal, with spindle-shaped corner columns. The tops of the columns are decorated with a ring of upward-facing lotus petals, while the upper and lower fillets feature bas-reliefs of upward and downward lotuses. Each of the six corners is equipped with a plinth block, and the waist of the pedestal is carved with vigorous, lifelike lions and beasts leaping about.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units