Qingfeng Puzhao Temple

Qingfeng Puzhao Temple

Qingfeng Puzhao Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

Originally named Yuanming Temple, Puzhao Temple is located in the southwest corner of Qingfeng County. It was first built in the first year of the Shangyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (674 AD), and renamed Puzhao Temple in the 19th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1282 AD). The temple once had a main hall and meditation rooms, but was destroyed during the wars at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, it was restored, and over 200 rooms including the Heavenly King Hall and the Water-Land Hall were constructed. In 1933, it was turned into Zhongshan Park, where a theater stage, rockery, and crescent-shaped river were built. In 1938, the park's buildings were sadly damaged by the Japanese invaders. In 1949, the Qingfeng County Committee of the Communist Party of China moved its offices here. Today, only the Mahavira Hall remains.

The Mahavira Hall was built in the 21st year of the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty (1485 AD). It is five bays wide and three bays deep, covering an area of 248.92 square meters. It features a single-eave hip-and-gable roof with a green-glazed tile ridge. The front wall of the hall is made of vermilion-painted wooden lattice, while the interior has four rows of six large pillars arranged in a grid pattern. At the front are three life-sized bronze Buddha statues, and surrounding them are eighteen clay arhat statues, all uniquely shaped and expressive. The surrounding walls are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the story of Tripitaka retrieving Buddhist scriptures from the West, displaying remarkable craftsmanship and vivid expressions. The inner ceiling is decorated with circular patterns, featuring four gilded dragons outlined in raised plaster, and a Bagua diagram in the center, reflecting the trend of integration between Buddhism and Taoism in the mid-Ming Dynasty. The entire hall is exquisitely designed, majestically structured, with beautiful painted decorations—its outstanding architecture and exquisite craftsmanship fully demonstrate the wisdom and skill of the people of Qingfeng County.

Puzhao Temple has a history of over 1,300 years. Having gone through many vicissitudes and suffered several instances of destruction, most of its historical relics have been lost, and the hall itself is now in disrepair, with its cultural artifacts looted. To strengthen its protection and promote national culture, in 1980 the relevant authorities designated it as a county-level cultural relic protection unit. In 1986, it was listed as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit, and a fund of 150,000 yuan was allocated. More than 70 cubic meters of timber were used to thoroughly renovate the hall: its upturned eaves and flying rafters present a majestic appearance; the red walls and green tiles complement each other brilliantly; the carved beams and painted rafters shine with golden splendor; the carved birds and auspicious beasts look lifelike—altogether restoring the grandeur of Ming Dynasty wooden architecture, making its magnificent presence unrivaled in the entire city of Puyang.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units