Tawan Sheli Pagoda, also called
Unstained Pure Glory Sheli Buddha Pagoda, is located in Tawan Street, Huangu
District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province.
The Pagoda was built in the 13th year (1044)
of the Chongxi reign of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), and repaired in the fifth
year (1640) of the Chongde reign of the Qing Dynasty.
The 13-storeyed pagoda, of brick structure
in octagonal plane, is a more than 50 meters high. It consists of the
underground hall, pedestal, body, eave and top. The pagoda pedestal is a lotus
facing upward in the shape of an ancient folding chair with a Zun
(ancient wine goblet) carved out of black bricks on the top part. On the first
floor of the Pagoda, Buddha niches were built in eight directions with Buddha
images with attendants standing on both sides. Ratna-sambhava Buddha was put in
the south niche, Dengguan Buddha in the southeast niche, Equality Buddha in the
west niche, Huihua Buddha in the northwest niche, Great Mercy Buddha in the
north niche, Universal Relief Buddha in northeast niche, Avalokiteshvara Buddha
in the east niche, and Aksobhya Buddha in southeast niche. All Buddhas are fired
with clay and carved with inscriptions. The pagoda eave has 13 storeys, with a
brick corbel arch under the eave and five bells on every side of the eave. On
the second floor and above, there are three bronze mirrors hung on every side of
the on each floor, and the three bronze mirrors on the south side of the top
floor are exceptionally huge. In its underground hall there are culture relics
like letters carved on stones, relic of Buddha, iron box, and copper coin, etc.