Miaofa Temple Pagoda Tomb Complex

Miaofa Temple Pagoda Tomb Complex

The Miaofa Temple Pagoda Tomb Complex is a cultural relic protection unit of Jiangxi Province.

The Miaofa Temple Pagoda Tomb Complex (including the Common Pagoda, Laywomen and Nuns Pagoda, Zhiping Chan Master Pagoda, □Tang Chan Master Pagoda, Nameless Pagoda I, Weijue Chan Master Pagoda, Kangsai Chan Master Pagoda, Zhuoying Chan Master Pagoda, Nameless Pagoda II, Guigu Chan Master Pagoda, and Menghui Chan Master Pagoda) was first built in the sixth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1633 AD). It was constructed during the temple’s peak period of activity to house the ashes of monks following cremation.

Covering an area of over 1,000 square meters, the complex consists of ten pagoda tombs— one large and nine small— built along the mountainside and entirely constructed from grayish-white gravel stone. Each pagoda tomb comprises a railing, base, main body, and top. The rear retaining walls of the tombs are inlaid with black stone inscriptions, most of which remain clearly legible. Among them, seven pagodas clearly indicate their construction date, the identity of the deceased, and the person who erected the pagoda. This complex holds significant reference value for the study and research of Buddhist burial systems during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Jiangxi Province