Shengshou Temple

CHINA, Chongqing, Dazu

Shengshou means Sacred Lifespan and the temple is located on Baodingshan (Treasure Peak Mountain). According to a Ming dynasty (1368–1644) stele, it was established by monk Zhao Zhifeng between 1174 and 1189 during the Southern Song dynasty. During the Yuan (1271–1368) and Ming dynasties, the temple was twice burned down in wartime. It was renovated in 1419 and 1684 during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Along with the Dazu Rock Carvings, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The temple was constructed according to the contours of the mountain. The buildings along the central axis are the main temple gate, Heavenly King Hall, Sakra Hall, Great Hero Hall, Hall of the Three Buddhas, Dipamkara Hall, and the Vimalakirti Hall. Next to the Dipamkara Hall there is the Small Buddha Bay. It was in the Small Buddha Bay that Zhao Zhifeng practiced Vajrayana Buddhism. This site was carved from stone and the interior is filled with sculpted images of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Outside the temple, on the left of the main temple gate, there is the Lingguan Hall. Below it are the cliff sculptures of the Great Buddha Bay.