Reversed-facing Guanyin

Reversed-facing Guanyin

Stepping into the Great Buddha Temple and passing through the ruins of the Dajue Liushi Hall, you will arrive at the Moni Hall. Right behind this hall, nestled among a suspended, colorful clay rockery, stands a polychrome clay statue of Guanyin from the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. This Guanyin wears a dazzling golden crown and is adorned with vibrant, multicolored jewelry. With a delicate and beautiful face, serene and dignified expression, she smiles gently at you. Below her finely arched brows, her deep and wise eyes glimmer with insight into the good and evil in the human world. Her gaze is slightly downward, perfectly meeting the upward look of worshippers, creating an emotional connection. This Reversed-facing Guanyin stands with one foot resting on a bud of a lotus flower and the other lightly lifted, her hands gently resting on her knees, exuding a relaxed and composed demeanor. Her solemnity commands reverence, while her beauty inspires admiration without irreverence.

The exceptional artistry of ancient masters achieved a remarkable harmony and unity between religious symbolism and lifelike imagery. These ancient artists humanized the divine, thus attaining a perfect blend of form and spirit — the very essence of its brilliance.

It is said that to create this Reversed-facing Guanyin, master artisans from across the country were sought after. Eventually, a renowned porcelain sculptor named He Chaozong was commissioned. This master had created eighteen statues of Guanyin in his lifetime, and the Reversed-facing Guanyin at the Great Buddha Temple is one of them.

The masterpiece of this Reversed-facing Guanyin lies in how it completely sheds the legendary aura typical of deities, instead portraying an ordinary young and beautiful woman. The sculpture is proportionate, with smooth lines, delicate craftsmanship, and striking realism, which deeply resonates emotionally with visitors.

Zhengding Longxing Temple

Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin

Ordination Platform

revolving Scripture Pavilion

Twin Dragons Screen Wall

Moni Hall

Cishi Pavilion

Longzang Temple Stele