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Painted Sculptures in Shuanglin Temple
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Statue of
Veda |
The second courtyard on the axis line consists of the
Grand Front Hall on the north and the Thousand-Buddha Hall and the Mother Buddha
Hall on the east and the west respectively. The Grand Front hall, rebuilt in the
Ming Dynasty, is the largest and tallest structure, with a single-eave hip and
gable roof. The Thousand-Buddha Hall houses some 500 painted statues, accounting
for a quarter of the temple's total. The main statue is the Mother Buddha with
the quiet and charming appearance and natural, relaxed gesture. On each side of
hers are the standing statues of Veda and Yaksha, two Buddhist guardian spirits.
The statue of Veda features an exaggerated S-shape design which presents an
imposing, powerful appearance. Hanging and wall-embedded statues in the
Thousand-Buddha Hall are equally fascinating. Those 500 statues are arranged in
5 or 6 layers - some flying over auspicious clouds while others riding on
eccentric beasts, integrating themselves with the main statue so naturally and
perfectly. In addition, there are some 30 statues of patrons on window stands
and door sides, which provide valuable references for the study of costumes of
the Ming Dynasty.
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