Gaota Temple Pagoda
Gaota Temple Pagoda
CHINA, Hubei, Huanggang
The name of the temple, Gaota, stands for High Pagoda. The pagoda was built in 1015 during the Northern Song dynasty, and it is listed as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site.
The 13-tier, octagonal, brick pagoda is 30 m high. There are 88 Buddha niches set in the pagoda. A doorway leading to a rectangular chamber is located on the east side of the lowest tier. The pagoda is solid from the second tier upwards. The structure varies throughout the pagoda, giving it an unusual appearance. This style of pagoda is uncommon in southern China.
When the pagoda was being renovated in 1986, a stone container was discovered within the central pillar on each tier. The containers each held a silver box, in which there were objects such as gold and silver pouches, Buddhist relics, gold springs, crystal globes, and copper ornaments. A large number of coins dating back to the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) were found inside and outside the stone containers.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L, page 367.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Lancaster, Lewis,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Architecture G-L},
pages = 367,
title = {{Gaota Temple Pagoda}},
volume = 2,
year = {2016}}