Anguo Temple Sutra Pillars

CHINA, Zhejiang, Jiaxing

The sutra pillars are situated within the former Anguo (National Peace) Temple, in the courtyard in front of the Heavenly King Hall. There are three sutra pillars built in 842, 844, and 865, during the Tang dynasty. They were listed as National Cultural Heritage Sites in 2006.
Of the three sutra pillars, the one constructed in 865 is the most outstanding. It is octagonal and is 7 m high, with 19 layers. The multi-layer Sumeru base is carved with railings, lotuses, lions, and dragons, as well as the nine mountains and eight oceans that surround Mount Sumeru. Above this there is a lotus that supports the pillar body, above which there is a canopy, eaves, lotuses, and some jewels. The eaves have upturned corners and they are in imitation of wooden structures with bracket sets beneath them, as well as tile caps and drip tiles. These features are characteristic of Tang architecture.
The pillar built in 842 is 5.8 m high with a multi-layer Sumeru base. The lower layer of the base has reliefs of coiling dragons, while the upper layer has four ogee arch niches with warriors carved on the four corners. Above the octagonal pillar body there are lotuses, short pillars carved with figures, some clouds, and some jewels.
The last pillar, the one created in 844, measures 6.2 m in height. The lower layer of the Sumeru base is decorated with four ogee arch niches and four warriors, while the upper layer has carvings of coiling dragons. Above the pillar body there is a canopy, short pillars, floating clouds, and some jewels. All three pillars are carved with the Usnisavijaya Dharani Sutra, as well as other inscriptions.