Buer Temple

Buer Temple

Buer Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Buer Temple

Buer Temple (Sixth Batch of National Heritage Conservation Units)

Era: Jin Dynasty

Address: No. 74, Shouyi West Road, Yangqu County

Originally located in Xiaozhiru Village, Beiliu Township, Yangqu County, the Main Hall was relocated to No. 74, Shouyi West Road, Yangqu County Town in 1989 due to irresistible objective factors. The Main Hall of Buer Temple was first built in the ninth year of Qián? (956) of the Northern Han Dynasty, and the current structure dates back to the sixth year of Mingchang (1195) of the Jin Dynasty. It faces south with a width and depth of three bays each, featuring a nearly square floor plan and a construction area of 147.6 square meters. The hall has a single-eave hanging roof with an overhanging corridor, and the front eaves are adorned with five-tiered bracket sets.

Inside the hall, there are nine well-preserved Ming Dynasty clay sculptures including Sakyamuni, disciples, and bodhisattvas. Below them, the brick carvings on the Buddhist altar are exquisitely crafted. The side walls preserve murals covering an area of 80 square meters. There is also a stele from the 30th year of Zhìyuán (1293) of the Yuan Dynasty, bestowed upon Buer Chan Monastery. Within the temple courtyard, there are two pagodas: one is a three-story, eleven-section, hexagonal stone-carved pagoda standing 3.8 meters tall, and the other is an octagonal five-tiered brick pagoda standing 6 meters tall.

The eastern and western side walls of the hall feature murals, each divided into upper, middle, and lower sections separated yet connected by cloud motifs, creating a harmonious and unified composition. The upper sections depict “flying apsaras” amid colorful clouds, representing the heavenly realm of the Buddha’s land. The middle section of the eastern wall shows the Medicine Buddha of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World, flanked by the Sunlight Bodhisattva and Moonlight Bodhisattva, with canopies and halos above, collectively known as the “Three Saints of the East.” The middle section of the western wall depicts Amitabha Buddha of the Western Paradise, flanked by Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva and Guanyin Bodhisattva, collectively called the “Three Saints of the West.” The lower sections of the murals portray guardian deities such as Vajras and Arhats, characterized by a strong secular style and are particularly striking. On the lower section of the eastern wall are the “Twelve Yaksha Generals,” representing 84,000 yakshas, symbolizing the overcoming of 84,000 afflictions and the attainment of 84,000 enlightenments. These are arranged in two groups of six deities each, with a lion dance scene in the center to entertain the deities. The lower section of the western wall features sixteen Arhats, divided into two groups of eight each (the northern eight were added during the Qing Dynasty). In the slightly lower central area is a long scroll painting titled “Buddhist Worship Scene,” depicting a newly enthroned emperor praying for national peace and prosperity in front of the Buddha, accompanied by court attendants holding incense burners and lighting incense. This corresponds thematically with the “Musical Deities Scene” on the eastern wall.

According to surviving inscriptions, in addition to the main hall, Buer Temple originally had structures such as a performance platform, mountain gate hall, Heavenly King Hall, bell and drum towers, east and west side halls, and monks’ quarters. Southwest of the temple stands an octagonal five-story brick pagoda built in the Yuan Dynasty, along with stone pagodas and stone pillars constructed in the Ming Dynasty. Within the courtyard, there are two pagodas: one is a three-story, eleven-section, hexagonal stone-carved pagoda standing 3.8 meters tall, and the other is an octagonal five-tiered brick pagoda standing 6 meters tall.

In May 2006, Buer Temple was approved by the State Council as part of the Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units for its ancient architecture dating back to the Jin Dynasty.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units