Main Hall of Heshasi Temple

Main Hall of Heshasi Temple

The Main Hall of Heshasi Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Heshasi Temple in Pujiang County is located at the foot of Cuifeng Mountain, twenty-nine li east of Pujiang County town, in Group 6, Longquan Village, Shou’an Town.

Heshasi Temple was first built in the 16th year of the Chunxi era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1189), established by Master Xinggong. The name “Heshasi” (River-Sand Temple) was given by Master Xinggong because Buddha Shakyamuni once taught his disciple Subhuti (a native of Sravasti, India): “If you were to convert as many beings as there are grains of sand in the Ganges River, and lead them all to become Arhats.” He aimed to guide as many people as the countless grains of sand in the Ganges — India’s longest and greatest river — to believe in Buddhism and cultivate themselves to become Arhats (from the Sutra of Perfect Enlightenment).

During the mid-Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1341–1362), Heshasi Temple was destroyed in a war fire.

In the 31st year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1398), the monk Miaoxuan restored Heshasi Temple.

The abbot of Heshasi Temple, Monk Yufeng, whose Dharma name was Shancheng, “was a child attendant of the Shu King.” He followed Zhu Di, the 11th son of the Hongwu Emperor and Prince of Shu, from Nanjing to Chengdu. In the 4th year of the Xuande era (1429), he came to Pujiang to take charge of Heshasi Temple. He “had a simple and rustic temperament, and strictly observed his precepts. He recited the Avatamsaka Sutra daily without interruption, regardless of scorching heat or bitter cold. The common people who followed his teachings flocked to him like clouds gathering toward water.” In the 7th year of the Jingtai era (1456), he invited Wang Rang (courtesy name Boqian), a master carpenter (woodworker) from Linrong (present-day Qionglai City), to oversee the reconstruction of the Main Hall. He also prepared to fire a large number of long roof tiles to be used for covering the hall in the future.

The long tiles measure 31.5 cm in length, 24 cm in width at the top, 20.5 cm at the bottom, and 1 cm in thickness. One tile is inscribed with a poem:

“From February until now, tiles have been gathered; gratitude to donors who provided meals for monks. Though drizzles fall on black-robed monks, no record is made — may each household receive blessings and peace.”

“The 2nd day of the 2nd month, in the year of Jingtai 7, auspicious dawn.”

In the 2nd year of the TianShun era (1458), the Main Hall of Heshasi Temple rebuilt by Wang Rang was completed. It features a single-eave, hanging mountain-style roof. The hall is three bays wide, measuring 13.65 meters in length, and four bays deep, 11.3 meters in width, with an overall height of 8.5 meters. The front eaves include eight bracket sets (dougong). Dougong is an art form in ancient Chinese architecture. A set of dougong consists of a block (dou – a square wooden piece shaped like an ancient measuring scoop), an arch (gong – a rectangular wooden piece tapered at both ends), an arm (ang – a long diagonal wooden piece that thrusts inward to support beams and rafters, acting as a lever), and a beam (fang – a horizontal timber that supports the purlins and connects the dougong). Without using nails or mortise-and-tenon joints, the structure entirely relies on interlocking wooden pieces. The compact dougong components create cantilevered structures that support the temple’s expansive eaves and increase the load-bearing capacity of the beams under the same span.

The hall uses a post-and-lintel beam frame. On the flat beam, a dougong block shaped like a carved man holds the ridge purlin with his back turned. The spandrel brackets are carved with dragons and phoenixes.

Inscribed on the beam in ink: “In the 2nd year of the TianShun era of the Great Ming, in the cyclical year of Wuyin, on the 10th day of the 1st month, in the year of Yisi. With the concerted effort of the current abbot Shancheng and devotees from all directions, this structure was jointly erected. Respectfully inscribed.”

“Wu Zhong, Magistrate of Pujiang County; Luo Liang, Clerk; Li Chang, Confucian Instructor; Chen Xiu, Patrol Inspector; Liu Duo, Yin-Yang Technician; Huang Huai, Medical Official; Zhi Xuan, Head of the Monastic Office, all wish for the monk’s lineage to enjoy blessings, longevity, and high status.”

“The disciples involved in the construction on this mountain: Yuanming, Yuanfang... Zongxuan, Zongan; and the Linrong carpenter Wang Rang, courtesy name Boqian, all wish for their precepts to be complete and to attain enlightenment.”

Inside the hall, a central Buddha statue is flanked by two disciples. “Their golden hues shine brilliantly, inspiring reverence.”

The east and west walls of the hall are painted with figures depicting the story of Sudhana’s Fifty-Three Visits from the Avatamsaka Sutra, each visit labeled with an inscription. For example: “Sudhana, the 6th visit, goes to the Forest City to consult the Elder Liberation, learning the Dharma Gate of Solemn Vows, attaining the perfection of nature.”

In the 4th month of the 4th year of the TianShun era (1460), the Fifty-Three Visits murals were completed. “May all beings increase in wisdom and blessings, and disasters be eliminated.” Magistrate Wu Zhong visited and, being skilled in calligraphy, inscribed the four large characters “Bai Yun Shen Chu” (Deep in White Clouds) on a wooden plaque, which was hung above the gate, adding grandeur to the temple.

In the 7th year of the TianShun era (1463), Yufeng passed away at the age of seventy and was cremated. His disciple Yuangpu became the abbot. “He built a stone bridge in front of the temple to span the flooded creek. He renovated the Heavenly King Hall and carved images of dragons, phoenixes, and ao fish among the dougong. … Bells, drums, incense burners, and stone tripods were all fully prepared. There were over a hundred monk’s quarters.” The temple grew to a considerable size. Heshasi Temple, “located near Meizhou and Pengshan, became a place where officials gathered for official matters.” It became a renowned scenic site.

Later, Zongmi served as abbot of Heshasi Temple. He was “profoundly insightful and exceptionally talented.”

In the 22nd year of the Chenghua era (1486), “he traveled far to the capital, obtained his certification, and returned to the temple.”

In the 15th year of the Hongzhi era (1502), a stone stele was erected at Heshasi Temple, inscribed with a poem by the monk Yuanjian:

“Since ancient times, Heshasi Temple stands; its mountain is named Cuifeng. By the stream, monks play with the moon; above the clouds, cranes nest in pines. Green hues veil fragrant wood amid dark rain; incense drifts on the wind through grapevines. Carving a stele anew, I recount — to guard the distant Buddha’s palace.”

The Main Hall of Heshasi Temple in Pujiang County, built by the Linrong carpenter Wang Rang, has stood for 558 years to date. Having endured the Ming, Qing, Republican, and modern eras, it has withstood numerous earthquakes, strong winds, and heavy rains, yet remains standing — a testament to its sturdy construction and the masterful craftsmanship of its builders.

On December 27, 2002, the People’s Government of Sichuan Province, via document Chuan Fu Fa (2002) No. 23, declared the Main Hall of Heshasi Temple in Pujiang County a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.

Protected area: The Main Hall and the existing protective buildings of the Cultural Relics Management Group.

Construction control zone: Within 20 meters east, 24 meters south, 42 meters west, and 76 meters north of the main hall’s eaves.