Tianning Temple

CHINA, Jiangsu, Nantong

Tianning means Heavenly Peace. It was built during the rule of Emperor Yizong (reigned 859–873) of the Tang dynasty. The temple was rebuilt between 1111 and 1118 of the Northern Song dynasty. Towards the end of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the temple grounds east of the main hall were converted to a school, which is currently called Nantong Middle School. The temple was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2006.
Facing south, the buildings along the central axis include the main temple gate, Vajra Hall, Great Hero Hall, and the sutra repository. A stele passageway is located on the east side of the temple, while on the west side there are the Patriarch Hall and Great Thought Hall. The Light Filial Piety Pagoda is located to the northwest of the sutra repository.
The three-by-four bay Great Hero Hall has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. Inside the hall the exposed roof frame consists of crescent beams, while the crossbeams are made from inverted V-shape braces. Supporting the structure are six petal-shape interior columns in the distinct Song dynasty style. The horizontal inscribed board of the Great Hero Hall was written by Emperor Huizong (reigned 1100–1125) of the Song dynasty.
The Light Filial Piety Pagoda, built during the Tang dynasty (618–907), is also known as the Caitya Pagoda. It has been repaired a number of times. The five-story, octagonal, brick and timber pagoda is 30.9 m high. There are bas-relief carvings of auspicious creatures on the concave part of the Sumeru base. The spire consists of a dew receiver, seven stacked rings, and a jewel.