temple temple chinese pinyin buddhist temple located china temple founded early 8th century dynasty earliest surviving building dates 11th century temple heavily repaired years today original halls recently rebuilt survive largest earliest hall dating 11th century hall largest kind china historically significant dating 12th century dynasty history temple founded period dynasty patronage emperor time known fall dynasty period temple underwent change known chaotic time buildings temple escaped destruction takeover temple assumed present configuration temple heavily damaged dynasty took repair work started took years complete repairs undertaken time monk named received imperial presentation time temple referred present temple late 16th century drum bell towers built stone platform supporting hall repairs temple years late 18th century temple state disrepair use halls stable caused wall collapse world war pavilion destroyed rebuilt architecture temple today consists main halls hall main gate arranged north south axis located east west hall smaller halls hall main halls built dynasty hall considered building main gate hall extensively renovated subsequent dynasty classified scholars buildings main hall northernmost largest hall dates 11th century measures seven bays doors hall hall built elevated meter high platform site drum bell tower longer extant according standards 11th century chinese architectural treatise hall held fifth rank sets system ranks interior contains large statues representing cardinal directions central statue representing statues similar represent displaying different symbolic hand gestures statue chinese pinyin octagonal wooden ceiling painted decorated statues disciples grouped large statues statues located east west walls square meters murals hall date damaged years hall hall chinese pinyin literally hall middle hall built dynasty houses statues central universal aspect accompanying statues hall central pillars support depends complex 6th rank support chinese pinyin initially built dynasty examined 1930s reported heavily damaged structure stories story miniature building niche images story statue building rebuilt having destroyed war pavilion measures bays nearly perfect square built short stone platform called accessed short set stairs outside pavilion appears stories actually second floor hidden outside view exterior levels surrounded perimeter columns pavilion chinese pinyin destroyed early 20th century caught fire converted rebuilt local government main gate main gate chinese pinyin large hall built dynasty 12th century entrance building temple hall contains statues heavenly kings east west bays long bays wide area square meters support structure 5th rank
Shanhua Temple