Ordination Terrace

Ordination Terrace

The Ordination Terrace is located to the north of the Moni Hall. It has a square floor plan, with five bays in both width and depth, covering an area of 302.76 square meters and standing 17.7 meters high. It was built during the Ming Dynasty. Currently, the part above the stone platform dates back to the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. The terrace features a pyramidal roof with four ridges, and overhanging eaves on all four sides, extending three tiers outward. Inside the terrace is a double-faced bronze Buddha statue—one side depicts Amitabha Buddha to the south, and Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) to the north. It was cast in the 6th year of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1493).

Visitors to the Great Buddha Temple often ask why this Buddha statue was cast as double-faced. The Vimalakirti Sutra states that there are various interpretations of the Medicine King among the Chinese people—some say it is Bian Que, others say Sun Simiao, and still others mention Wei Cizang. According to Buddhism, in the inconceivably distant past, this Buddha was known as the White Medicine King. Therefore, the so-called Medicine King is not just one individual.

Additionally, the Mahayana Treatise (Volume 9) explains: “Illuminating wisdom is called insight (prajna), and understanding is called wisdom (jnana).” Illuminating means having profound insight, seeing and knowing everything; understanding means possessing exceptional capability, mastering and achieving all things. The Nirmāṇakāya (Emanation Body) symbolizes merit and virtue. Merit refers to self-cultivation and influencing sentient beings, accumulating virtue through good deeds. Among the Three Bodies of the Buddha, the Dharmakāya (Truth Body) is the essence, the Nirmāṇakāya is the manifestation, and the Sambhogakāya (Enjoyment Body) lies between the two. Divided, they are three bodies; united, they form one—that is the Buddha. Thus, the double-faced Buddha appears on the Ordination Terrace, which can also be understood as one Buddha with two bodies, or one Buddha in three bodies. In short, they are all manifestations of Shakyamuni Buddha. Moreover, including the Medicine King within the Buddhist pantheon attracts even more devout followers to worship Buddhism.

The most remarkable feature of this Ordination Terrace is the double-faced Buddha. No matter where you stand—in front or behind—you simply cannot tell it is double-faced; it looks just like a single figure.

This Ordination Terrace is primarily a site where monks preach Dharma and conduct ordination ceremonies.

Longxing Temple in Zhengding

Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin

Reversed Seated Guanyin

revolving Scripture Pavilion

Twin Dragons Screen Wall

Moni Hall

Cishu Pavilion

Longzang Temple Stele