Sanjiao Temple in Boping Town

Sanjiao Temple in Boping Town

Sanjiao Temple is a small village with only 400 residents but a history of over 1,500 years. It integrates Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, hence the name “Sanjiao” (Three Teachings) Temple. Inside are enshrined the founders of the three teachings—Confucius, Laozi, and Sakyamuni. Skilled artisans carved the words “Birth, Death, Sickness, Old Age, Suffering” beneath the statue of Sakyamuni, “Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth” beneath the statue of Laozi, and “Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Fidelity” beneath the statue of Confucius.

The stories of the three teachings emerging and establishing the temple have spread throughout the region and have been passed down to this day. Sanjiao Temple has thus replaced the original village name. The well-preserved Sanjiao Temple now covers a total area of 1,500 square meters. Along the central axis, there is a performance stage to the south, and a worship hall and main hall to the north, with east and west side chambers flanking the main hall. On the east and west sides of the temple are two-story viewing towers. The entire temple complex is logically laid out, structurally rigorous, and grand in scale. Among its features, the worship hall in front of the main hall is the most magnificent, featuring a single-eave hip-and-gable roof covered with green glazed tiles, and a roof ridge adorned with yellow-and-green glazed dragon ornaments. The hall’s eaves are supported by stone pillars, with stone-carved lions surrounding the plinths, and the brackets and arches on the capitals are all exquisitely carved. Various figures, flowers, insects, birds, dragons, phoenixes, and mythical beasts are vividly depicted. The artisans employed techniques such as relief carving, shallow engraving, openwork carving, and pierced carving, truly demonstrating craftsmanship that surpasses nature and achieving an exquisite level of artistry. The wooden components achieve a perfect harmony of mechanics and aesthetics, reaching the pinnacle of artistic excellence. No wonder many experts who have seen it have called it “a fine masterpiece of ancient Chinese wood carving art.”

Source: Chiping County Chronicles Office