Pagoda Forest

    The Pagoda Forest, about 500 meters west of the Changzhu Yard, is the cemetery of monks of all generations of Shaolin Temple. Dignitary monks of the Shaolin Temple were buried here with a pagoda established on the top of the tomb to show their merits and virtues. Composed of more than 240 brick or stone pagodas built in the Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Pagoda Forest is the largest ancient pagoda groups in China. The height, size, shape and the floor numbers of pagodas vary from monk to monk, based on their Buddhist status, cultivation, the number of his followers and the financial condition of the temple in a certain period.
    Pagodas here have one to seven floors, 15 meters being the maximum in height, often with inscriptions. Various in shapes from squares to hexagons, from columns to cones; different in materials and structures from a whole stone to layers of bricks, they are peculiar with great diversification, making an art museum of ancient pagodas. Besides being a tour attraction, the Pagoda Forest is much valuable in the study of ancient Chinese stone or brick architecture, sculpture, calligraphy, art and religion.

Publishes at : 07-07-12 23:58

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