Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin

Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin

The Dabei Pavilion is the main structure of the temple, featuring five eaves and three stories, standing 33 meters tall. Originally built during the Kaibao era of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was once connected to the Imperial Book Tower and Jiqing Pavilion on the east and west sides. In the early years of the Republic of China, the roof collapsed. During the 1944 renovation, the side pavilions were demolished, leaving it standing alone like an ethereal presence; leaning on the railing and looking down, one feels a sense of openness in vision and chest, a refreshing and uplifting feeling, as if gazing upon something both awe-inspiring and humbling.

At the center of the Dabei Pavilion stands a towering bronze statue. This is the so-called Great Bodhisattva of Zhengding Prefecture, also known as the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin.

The large bronze Buddha stands 22 meters tall and has 42 arms, each holding sacred objects such as the sun, moon, stars, constellations, sashes, flowers, swords, mirrors, silver dusters, and golden vajras. Despite its immense height, the bronze statue is proportionate and features smooth lines. The face of the bronze Buddha expresses serenity and tranquility, with a gentle and compassionate demeanor. But even this benevolent bronze Buddha has endured several ordeals.

During the Qingtai era of the Later Tang Dynasty (936 AD), there was a Great Compassion Temple west of the city, which housed a 49-foot-tall bronze Bodhisattva. Later, when the Khitan invaded, the temple was burned to the ground. The upper part of the bronze Bodhisattva melted into scrap metal from the chest up. By the second year of the Xiande era (955 AD) under Emperor Shizong (Chai Rong) of the Later Zhou Dynasty, the emperor ordered the destruction of Buddhist statues to mint coins. The remaining lower half was also covered with clay, turning it into a bona fide clay Bodhisattva.

In the second year of the Kaibao era (969 AD) of the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin visited Zhengding for an inspection. When he came to the Great Compassion Temple to worship, he asked whether the Bodhisattva was made of bronze or clay.

When the abbot monk Kechou told Zhao Kuangyin about the two unfortunate incidents involving the bronze Bodhisattva, no one expected the monk to dare fabricate a miraculous story in front of the emperor. He said that when the statues were being destroyed, eight characters were found engraved on the lotus pedestal: “Destroyed during the Xian era, revived during the Song era.” Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed and immediately decreed that a new bronze Buddha be cast at the current Longxing Temple, along with the construction of the Dabei Pavilion. In reality, Zhao Kuangyin had already realized the influence of Buddhism among the people and wanted to win their hearts—this is how this priceless treasure came to be passed down to later generations. It is said that the bronze Buddha statue underwent three imperial reviews by Zhao Kuangyin before casting began.

The bronze Buddha was cast section by section from the bottom up. The first section was the lotus pedestal, the second up to the knees, the third up to the navel, the fourth up to the chest, the fifth up to the armpits, the sixth up to the shoulders, and the seventh to the top of the head.

Zhengding Longxing Temple

Ordination Terrace

Reversed-Seat Guanyin

Revolving Scripture Pavilion

Twin Dragons Screen Wall

Mani Hall

Cishi Pavilion

Longzang Temple Stele