Liangfei Pagoda

Liangfei Pagoda

Liangfei Pagoda is a cultural tourism attraction.

Towering atop Chicheng Mountain, Liangfei Pagoda stands seven stories high on all four sides, like a sharp sword piercing the sky, boldly embracing and releasing clouds and rosy clouds — a truly magnificent sight.

Standing beneath Liangfei Pagoda and looking out as far as the eye can see, the scenery of the surrounding area is all visible — to the east, Guoqing Temple is nearby, with the Sui Dynasty pagoda towering into the clouds; to the south, the city of Tiantai lies at your feet, where ancient and modern structures coexist along the flowing Shifeng River; to the west, the Taoist mountain of Tongbai looms faintly in the distance; to the north, the vast and lush Tiantai Mountain range rises in undulating, forested layers, majestic and imposing.

Introduction

Liangfei Pagoda is located on Chicheng Mountain. It was first built in the fourth year of the Datong era during the Liang Dynasty (538), commissioned by Xiao Cha, the King of Yiyang from the Southern Liang Dynasty, for his queen. It predates the Sui Dynasty pagoda of Guoqing Temple by over half a century.

Xiao Cha was the third son of Xiao Tong (the Crown Prince Zhaoming), editor of China’s earliest comprehensive literary anthology, the “Zhaoming Wenxuan.” He was “studious and skilled in writing, especially well-versed in Buddhist teachings.” During the Dadao era, he was granted the title of King of Yiyang and served as the governor of Dongzhou (which administered five commanderies: Kuaiji, Dongyang, Xin’an, Linhai, and Yongjia).

In the fifth year of the Huichang era during the Tang Dynasty (845), Emperor Wuzong issued an edict to suppress Buddhism, resulting in the demolition of more than 46,000 temples nationwide — an event historically known as the “Huichang Persecution of Buddhism.” Both Liangfei Pagoda and Guoqing Temple were not spared and were abolished by imperial decree. In the sixth year of the Xiantong era (865), the monk Zongli appealed for donations to restore them, but only one of the three pagodas remained.

In the seventh year of the Xiande era during the Later Zhou Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period (960), the monk Guosha renovated this pagoda. He retrieved 49 sarira (relics) from the old pagoda — 21 were enshrined in other temples, and 28 were buried again beneath Liangfei Pagoda.

According to historical records: the pagoda had seven stories on all four sides, was approximately 20 zhang tall (around 60 meters), and was built of brick. Each level featured a false door, with short eaves protruding between the floors. Its simple style resembled that of Hangzhou’s Leifeng Pagoda. The pagoda renovated by Guosha endured through many long years. By the time of the Republic of China, the upper three levels had collapsed, and the lower parts were badly damaged.

In the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947), Master Xingci, together with Shanghai lay Buddhists, completely rebuilt Liangfei Pagoda. The pagoda has seven levels, each with four sides, each featuring an arched false door, and with an oval window on either side of the door. On the lower part of each level, there are bas-relief balustrades that appear to form a corridor, though they are merely decorative elements attached to the pagoda wall. Each floor has short eaves extending outward, with eight rows of bracket sets beneath each eave. The corners of the eaves are slightly upturned. The top of the pagoda is capped with a bowl-shaped tile cover, and at its highest point sits an olive-shaped spire. This structure inherits the simplicity of the original pagoda while incorporating many innovative features, giving it a graceful and clean appearance. This is the Liangfei Pagoda we see today.

During the Cultural Revolution, a large hole was made in the base wall of the pagoda, but fortunately, it did not collapse. In 1978, the county cultural relics management committee carried out another major renovation.

Beside Liangfei Pagoda lies the site of Feixia Temple, which was originally built alongside Liangfei Pagoda when Xiao Cha commissioned its construction. The eminent monk Dingtong once resided here. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, the temple was abandoned, and Dingtong moved to Jindi Ridge to live in seclusion in a small hut. In the seventh year of the Taijian era during the Chen Dynasty (575), the Great Master Zhiyi led his disciples into Tiantai Mountain, where he encountered Dingtong, who beckoned to him and offered prophecies, leading to many famous stories. For example, “The Silver Land of North Peak is where you shall reside” — later, Great Master Zhiyi built the Chan Meditation Temple there; “If the temple is completed, the nation will be at peace” — later, in accordance with Zhiyi’s blueprint, Prince Yang Guang of the Jin Kingdom sent envoys to construct Guoqing Temple.