Guangde Temple Pagoda of Many Treasures

Guangde Temple Pagoda of Many Treasures

Guangde Temple Pagoda of Many Treasures is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Ming Dynasty. Located at the northern end of Guangde Temple on the northeast side of Longzhong Mountain in Xiangcheng District, Xiangfan City, Hubei Province. It is one of the few remaining diamond throne-style pagodas in China.

Pagoda of Many Treasures

Guangde Temple’s founding date is unknown; it was known as Yunju Temple during the Tang Dynasty but was later destroyed. It was rebuilt during the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty. Originally situated on Longzhong Mountain, it was relocated to its current site during the Chenghua era and renamed Guangde Temple. The temple suffered damage during the late Ming Dynasty from warfare, leaving only the Pagoda of Many Treasures. It underwent renovations during the Kangxi, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, and Xianfeng eras of the Qing Dynasty. The temple faces south and covers an area of approximately 45,000 square meters. It features a symmetrical axial layout, with surviving structures including the mountain gate, scripture depository, abbot’s quarters, east and west guest halls, and the Pagoda of Many Treasures.

Pagoda of Many Treasures

The Pagoda of Many Treasures is located behind the temple. It was built between the seventh year (1494) and ninth year (1496) of the Hongzhi reign. The pagoda stands 16.8 meters tall and consists of a base and the main body. The base is octagonal, straight-bodied, with sides 5.32 meters long and a height of 7.26 meters. It features corner pillars, corbelled eaves, and stone arched gates on four sides. The main gate has a niche housing a seated Buddha, and above the lintel is a stone engraving reading “Pagoda of Many Treasures.” At its core is an octagonal single-story brick tower imitating wooden structure, with bracket sets (dougong) under the eaves. The four walls contain niches with relief carvings of seated Buddhas. Inside the tower, stone steps spiral up to the top of the base. Above the base stand five towers: four hexagonal spire-roofed small towers, each 6.65 meters tall, are positioned at the corners, while the central tower rises 9.54 meters high, featuring an octagonal Sumeru pedestal, a stupa-style body, a thirteen-tiered finial, and a stone gem finial. In total, there are 48 stone Buddha statues both inside and outside the pagoda, hence the name “Pagoda of Many Treasures.” The structure is rigorously designed and ingeniously crafted. Architectural elements such as the lintels, brackets, and dougong, as well as the carving techniques used for the stone niches, Buddha statues, and decorative patterns, reflect both traditional Chinese architectural styles and Indian stupa influences, demonstrating a high level of architectural and artistic achievement.

In 1988, it was designated as part of the third group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council.

Further Reading:

· Second Group of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Third Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units