Cishi Pavilion

Cishi Pavilion

Cishi Pavilion is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhengding Great Buddha Temple not only holds an important place in the history of Chinese Buddhism, but more importantly, the cultural relics preserved within the temple possess significant historical value. It is known as the "Nine Wonders of the Great Buddha Temple."

Cishi Pavilion is one of the nine wonders. It is located to the east of the Great Mercy Pavilion, facing west and opposite the Revolving Scripture Repository. The pavilion is three bays wide and three bays deep, and is a two-story building in the style of the Northern Song Dynasty. It has undergone varying degrees of renovation during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Inside Cishi Pavilion stands a statue of the Maitreya Bodhisattva, about seven meters tall, carved from a single piece of wood during the Song Dynasty. In Buddhism, Maitreya is a Sanskrit surname meaning "compassion," hence people commonly refer to this bodhisattva as Cishi (Compassionate One).

Legend has it that the single log used to carve the Cishi statue came from a sacred tree on Mount Wutai. One day, a flash flood swept the tree down the Hutuo River until it floated to the outskirts of Zhengding, where it was retrieved by local villagers. When building the Great Buddha Temple, this large tree was used to carve the serene and graceful figure of the Cishi Bodhisattva. The masterpiece of this sculpture lies in the fact that women see it as someone they can confide in, while men perceive it as a graceful and delicate young maiden.

The architecture of Cishi Pavilion, from its overall structure to individual components and detailed ornamentation, fully embodies the traditional artistry and unique style of ancient Chinese architecture, showcasing the ingenuity of the laboring people and their superb carving skills.

Longxing Temple in Zhengding

Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin

Ordination Platform

Reversed Seated Guanyin

Revolving Scripture Repository Pavilion

Twin Dragons Screen Wall

Mani Hall

Longzang Temple Stele