Dabao Guang Pagoda

Dabao Guang Pagoda

Dabao Guang Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Dabao Guang Pagoda is located in the Da Jue Hall of Bao Hua Temple in Dongshan Village, Tiancun Town, Gan County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, approximately 68 kilometers northeast of the county seat. It was built on the eighth day of February in the 15th year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (874), facing southeast and positioned northwest. Carved from marble, it has an almost square plan, measuring 2.98 meters in length and 2.96 meters in width, covering an area of 8.8 square meters. It is a pavilion-style monk’s tomb pagoda, consisting of a base, body, and top. The base is made up of three layers of Sumeru pedestals, with each tier's upper and lower beams rendered through layered, angular fillet moldings. The waist section of each Sumeru pedestal is carved with niches—huamen—containing relief carvings: the bottom layer features lions in various poses, four on each face; the second layer depicts qilin, phoenixes, and scrolling cloud patterns; the third layer shows seated bodhisattvas in lotus position, five on each face. The pagoda body rests on a reverse-upturned lotus base, with a central chamber inside. Below, there is an eye-door (symbolic light door), flanked by relief carvings of two armor-clad guardian Vajras holding swords, above which are carved flying apsaras with human heads and bird bodies. The four corners of the pagoda body are supported by octagonal columns, resting on bases adorned with lotus petal patterns. These bases show noticeable inward tilt (side angle), upward flare (rise), and slight entasis, while the architrave does not protrude beyond the columns. The bracket sets are single-tiered with a single ang, arranged in a five-piece configuration, with one intercolumnar set. The top of the pagoda consists of four sloping roof layers and a finial, with gently sloped roofs, slightly upturned corners, ridge ends crowned with ridge beasts, square rafters, and lotus-patterned roof tiles. The finial is composed of eleven tiers, including a square base, a waist section, an octagonal umbrella, and a precious bead. The entire pagoda is also decorated with fine, barely visible incised lines of scrolling vines and entwined floral patterns serving as background ornamentation. On both sides of the pagoda body are inscribed steles—one on the northeast side with 307 characters, and one on the southwest side with 77 characters, though the inscriptions are now faint. The structure was renovated once in the second year of the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty (1079). What remains today is the original Tang Dynasty architecture. This pagoda is unique and holds significant value for preservation.

Dabao Guang Pagoda is an accurately dated tomb pagoda built by Emperor Muzong of the Tang Dynasty in honor of the Great Awakened Zen Master. It embodies the combined values of Buddhism and sculpture, showcasing high craftsmanship and historical significance. In 1957, it was listed among the first batch of Cultural Relics Protection Units in Jiangxi Province. In 2006, it was designated as part of the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units