The unassuming yet splendid Guangji Temple in Wutai County town

Guangji Temple is located within Wutai County town, hidden in plain sight with a small door that one could easily miss without any signage. Founded during the Yuan dynasty and renovated in the Qing dynasty, the main hall, Daxiong Baodian, was preserved as a storeroom while the gate and other halls were demolished. The interior space of the hall is vast, supported by only two golden columns, with significantly reduced bracketing. The Yuan dynasty frescoes inside are mostly well-preserved, dazzling in their variety, especially the headgear of the statues, which are predominantly in Mongolian style. The eaves and column heads of the main hall are decorated with fierce beast heads. Interestingly, at both ends of the eaves walls stand two small figures, resembling auspicious dolls from New Year paintings, with their hands raised as if trying to support the roof beams, adding a touch of cuteness and departing from the usual solemn and austere style of temples. This characteristic may align with some opinions that suggest the statues of Guangji Temple lack the solemn 'Buddha likeness' and have more pronounced secular features, implying that during the tumultuous Yuan period, craftsmen deviated from the strict conventions of royal worship places and incorporated more totemic and folk elements. Today, Guangji Temple, although located in a bustling area, sees no incense burning and remains obscure, living a low-profile life of its own.

Post by TheodoreLivingston23 | May 15, 2024