The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple

The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple

The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple (Batch 5, Provincial-Level Protected Site)

Era: Qing Dynasty

Location: Lijiazhuang Natural Village, Liudamao Village, Huaidaomao Township, Liulin County, Lüliang City

According to the inscription on the stele “Record and Inscription on the Construction of the New Relic Pagoda at Liuxi Temple in Yongning Prefecture” located around the pagoda, the Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple was built in the 31st year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1766). Originally an auxiliary structure of Liuxi Temple, the temple has since been destroyed, leaving only the pagoda.

The pagoda faces west and is approximately 23 meters tall. It is an octagonal, eight-story brick pagoda in the pavilion style, consisting of three parts: the body, the base, and the finial. The base is an octagonal plane constructed from strip-shaped sandstone blocks. The pagoda body is also octagonal with eight stories that gradually taper upward. Each story features brick carvings imitating wooden architectural elements such as architraves, brackets, rafters, and eaves under the eaves. The eaves become increasingly simplified with height. The first story has three niches on each side, housing Buddha statues; the second through seventh stories each have one niche per side, also containing Buddha statues. The third story has additional decorative patterns carved under the eaves. The pagoda finial is an octagonal spire, topped successively with inverted lotus petals, a precious vase, and a precious bead.

To the east of the pagoda stands one Qing Dynasty stele titled “Record and Inscription on the Construction of the New Relic Pagoda at Liuxi Temple in Yongning Prefecture.” Inside the pagoda, there are four fragmented stone stelae.

Since the Song Dynasty, multi-story brick pagodas in Shanxi have mostly featured a double-shaft floor structure. From the Yuan and Ming dynasties onward, hollow brick vault structures became common, but by the Qing Dynasty, the hollow double-shaft vault structure had almost disappeared. The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple follows the pavilion-style design of Song Dynasty pagodas while adopting the hollow brick vault technique of the Yuan and Ming periods. It serves as an important example that combines the structural features of brick pagodas from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.

The Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda of Liuxi Temple is well-preserved and features a unique double-helix spiral staircase structure. Its ingenious design and exquisite craftsmanship provide valuable insight into the construction techniques and craftsmanship standards of the Lüliang region during the Qing Dynasty.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Liudamao Village: Liudamao Village…… More detailed information about Liudamao Village++

Further Reading:

· Batch 5 Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units