The Cliff Carvings of Langyang Temple

The Cliff Carvings of Langyang Temple

The Cliff Carvings of Langyang Temple are a Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Cliff Carvings of Langyang Temple (Xuanhan County)

The Cliff Carvings of Langyang Temple are located in Shilin Community, Madu Township. The temple was originally built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, was first destroyed during the wars at the end of the Tang Dynasty and the beginning of the Song Dynasty, and was later rebuilt in the fourth year of the Yongxi era of the Song Dynasty (979 AD), restored to its original form, and named Daci Temple. In the first year of the Jingtai era of the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Fengrao Temple, and in the ninth year, it was again renamed Langyang Temple. In the twelfth year of the Xiantong era, it was further expanded through joint fundraising efforts by the magistrate of Dongxiang County, the local official of Langying County (with its seat in Madu), and the clerk of Shigu County, resulting in a much larger scale. It underwent another renovation during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty.

The temple was ultimately destroyed in a fire during the Republican era. Today, only the cliff carvings remain. These carvings cover an area of 83.64 square meters and consist of 23 niches with 145 Buddha statues. They are a Sichuan Provincial-level Cultural Relics Protection Unit and are currently being nominated for National Cultural Relics Protection status. In March 2016, after on-site investigations by experts on the Litchi Road archaeology and heritage application, experts from the Capital Museum and Northwest University stayed in Madu from late April to early May to conduct a comprehensive archaeological study of the Langyang Temple cliff carvings. A total of six reign periods were discovered, corresponding to the following years: 756, the first year of the Zhide era under Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty; 765, the first year of the Yongtai era under Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty; 872, the twelfth year of the Xiantong era under Emperor Yizong of the Tang Dynasty; 891, the second year of the Dazhong era under Emperor Zhaozong (Li Ye) of the Tang Dynasty; 987, the fourth year of the Yongxi era of the Northern Song Dynasty under Emperor Taizong (Zhao Kuangyi); and 1131, the first year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty under Emperor Gaozong (Zhao Gou).

Protected Area: The distribution area extends 18 meters west to the residence of Pan Guangrong, 12 meters east to the residence of Pan Guangming, and 20 meters south and north respectively.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 10 meters beyond the protected area, adjacent to residences on the east and west, bordered by the stone dam to the north, and farmland terraces to the south.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Sichuan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units