Shanhua Temple Great Hero Hall

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong

The Great Hero Hall is the main hall of Shanhua Temple and was built during the Liao dynasty (907–1125). It underwent major renovations in 1130 during the Jin dynasty.
The seven-by-five bay hall is constructed on a 3 m high brick base. It has a single-eave hip roof. The altar in the hall is five bays long and holds the Five Dhyani Buddhas. They are arranged as follows: Aksobhya of the east, Ratnasambhava of the south, Vairocana of the center, Amitabha of the west, and Amoghasiddhi of the north. In front of the Buddhas two rows of columns have been removed to create a larger space. Above the central bay there is an octagonal caisson ceiling. On platforms along the sides there are statues of the Twenty-Four Heavenly Beings from the Jin dynasty (1115–1234). The walls were once filled with murals but now only those on the ends of the south and west walls remain, occupying about 149.8 sq m.
The Great Hero Hall is situated at the end of the temple’s central axis within a spacious courtyard. In contrast, the side halls, such as the Samantabhadra Tower, are much smaller. The Great Hero Hall also features a hip roof, which is different from the hip-and-gable roofs of the side buildings, to distinguish the main building.