Bronze and Iron Buddha Statues at Shengshou Wannian Temple on Mount Emei

The Bronze and Iron Buddha Statues at Shengshou Wannian Temple on Mount Emei

The Bronze and Iron Buddha Statues at Shengshou Wannian Temple on Mount Emei are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Bronze and Iron Buddha Statues at Shengshou Wannian Temple on Mount Emei are located on Mount Emei in the southwestern part of Emeishan County, Sichuan Province.

Mount Emei is located about 7 kilometers southwest of Emeishan County, Sichuan Province, and is one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China (the others being Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, Mount Jiuhua in Anhui, and Mount Wutai in Shanxi). Its undulating peaks are “as delicate and long as the beautiful eyebrows of a graceful woman,” which is how the mountain got its name. With its rolling ridges and overlapping emerald-green cliffs, Mount Emei boasts a majestic and imposing presence, earning it the reputation of “the most beautiful scenery under heaven.” The temples on the mountain were first built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and additional structures were added in subsequent dynasties. Initially, Taoism was prevalent here, but after the Tang and Song Dynasties, Buddhism flourished, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Wannian Temple is one of the main temples on Mount Emei. Originally named “Puxian Temple,” it was first built in the fifth year of the Long’an era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (401 AD) by Monk Mingche. In the third year of the Qianfu era of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty (876 AD), it was rebuilt and renamed “Baishui Puxian Temple.” In the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty (979 AD), the abbot, Monk Maozhen, was summoned to the imperial court and praised by Emperor Taizong Zhao Guangyi. The emperor dispatched the official Zhang Renzhuang with 3,000 taels of gold to accompany Monk Maozhen back to Chengdu. With the gold, 300,000 jin of copper were purchased to cast a statue of Samantabhadra riding a white elephant. The elephant stands 7.35 meters tall and weighs 62 tons; it is white, treads on a three-foot lotus pedestal, and has vivid, piercing eyes, appearing lifelike. Samantabhadra sits upright on the elephant’s back on a lotus pedestal, wearing a golden crown, holding a ruyi scepter, with a plump and serene expression. The statue is proportionate and exquisitely crafted, representing a typical example of Song Dynasty bronze casting art.

Puxian Temple was destroyed by fire several times, but the bronze statue remained remarkably well-preserved. In the 28th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1600 AD), it was renovated, and Emperor Shenzong bestowed the plaque “Shengshou Wannian Temple.” To make the building fire-resistant, the renovation was carried out using construction techniques and styles from India and Myanmar. The main hall has no beams or columns and does not use a single piece of wood, hence it is also called the “Beamless Hall.” The hall is 16 meters long and wide, with brick walls that gradually taper inward to form a domed ceiling. In addition to the statue of Samantabhadra, the hall also houses 3,000 iron Buddha statues and 12 golden figures on the upper level and sides. The domed ceiling features four colorful “flying apsaras” painted with flowing lines, giving the impression of dancing. The dome is adorned with five spires and decorative elements such as lions, deer, and auspicious beasts, showcasing a highly unique style. In addition to the Beamless Hall, the Mahavira Hall was rebuilt after liberation, housing three golden-copper Buddha statues—Vairocana, Sakyamuni, and Vipashyin—each 4.8 meters tall, cast by the eminent monk Biechuan, making them extremely precious.

In March 1961, the Bronze and Iron Buddha Statues at Shengshou Wannian Temple on Mount Emei were designated by the State Council as part of the first group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· First Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units