Site of Shengan Temple

　　  Destination Introduction
　　  The site of Shengan Temple is located at the west entrance of Nan Heng Street, outside Xuanwu Gate. It was first built during the Tianhui period of the Jin Dynasty (1123–1135).

　　　　    Legend has it that it was constructed by the emperors and empresses of the Jin Dynasty for two eminent monks, Foju and Huaitang. As the temple was built near Liuhu Village within the central capital, and there was a lake outside the temple surrounded by weeping willows, it was commonly known as Liuhu Temple. In the 11th year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1446), it was renovated and renamed Pujisi. In the 41st year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1776), it was repaired again and restored to the name Shengan Temple.

　　　　    The temple's architecture centered around the Mahavira Hall, surrounded by the Rear Hall, Ruixiang Pavilion, the Heavenly King Hall, East and West Side Halls, and courtyards. The internal beams and brackets of the Mahavira Hall, such as the interlocking “mandarin duck” brackets, feature architectural styles predating the Qing Dynasty. Inside the hall are three statues of the Three Ages of Buddhas, commonly known as the Three Saints of the West, which date back to the Ming Dynasty. The Buddha statues are dark reddish-purple, thick, round, and robust, with large, tall halos behind them. The outer layer of the halos is intricately carved with flame patterns, while the inner layer features relief carvings of three small seated Buddhas, each supported by a lotus pedestal. The murals in the main hall are said to have been painted by Shang Xi, a great Ming Dynasty artist. On the east, west, and north walls, there are eight paintings depicting Buddhist stories. The three Bodhisattva statues behind the screen are finely detailed in their drapery strokes and skin coloring. The murals of Shengan Temple represent the typical style of religious murals in China in the early 15th century. The Buddha statues and murals were destroyed in the late 1960s, and the Ruixiang Pavilion was relocated to Taoranting Park.

　　   Xuanwu District, Beijing