Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion

CHINA, Yunnan, Menghai

The pavilion is situated separately from the temple. According to Dai history, it was built in 1701 by a local Dai monk, who became its abbot. The octagonal pavilion is an ordination hall. According to a Dai legend, the ordination hall is modeled on the octagonal golden hat worn by Sakyamuni Buddha. This particular pavilion is the most splendid example of its kind. It was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 1988.
The pavilion is made from timber and brick and is 20 m high. The Sumeru base has 16 corners and is 2.5 m high, with a diameter of around 10 m. Its walls are constructed in brick and there are doors facing the four cardinal directions. The pavilion is painted red and inlaid with colorful glass. Patterns of flowers, animals and figures are stenciled with gold or silver dust. There are eight sets of layered roofs, each facing a different direction. Each set has ten tiers, which become progressively narrower towards the top to form a cone. At the top there is a round canopy, above which is the spire with 13 stacked rings and jewels. The 120 roof ridges are decorated with glazed miniature pagodas, auspicious creatures and flame patterns. There are stylized nagas along the front edges of the roofs.