At the foot of Wuru Peaks, 2 km to the northwest of the Shaolin Temple, there lie a cluster of small ancient buildings named the “Chuzu Hut (Progenitor Hut)” or the “Mianbi (sitting in meditation facing the wall) Hut”. The Chuzu Hut is composed of the Main Hall of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Mountain Entry, the Qianfo Cabinet and two small pavilions. More than 40 inscriptions can be found in the hut, including the Zuyuan Diben and the Dharma Mianbi Hut written respectively by Huang Tingjian and Caibian, famous ancient Chinese calligraphers of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 A.D.). The main hall of Chuzu Hut is considered the oldest building of wood structure. Embossment of warriors, flying apsarases, lotuses on the 16 stone pillars in the main hall are sculpted with refinement, unique in style, valued as art classics of stone carving in the Song Dynasty. The main hall of the Chuzu Hut is greatly valued in history of architecture for its long history, ingenious style and unique appearance as significant historical materials in the architecture study of the Song Dynasty. |