XuanKongSi – The most Dangerous Monastery

Some ancient structures were purposely and skillfully constructed at the riskiest of locations or sometimes just had their appearance altered to reflect a sense of danger and awe. These ancient buildings are so remarkable that even modern scientists are amazed and astounded by them.

There are 10 most dangerous structures in the world, XuanKongSi Temple in China is one of them. Temples and monasteries were usually built on the ground, and if there was no money or it was necessary to hide from someone, then under the ground in caves. It seems impossible to think of anything else, but the temple tells us otherwise. It turns out that in one of the northern provinces of China, there is a so-called Hanging Temple which seems to be attached to the Rock at a height of 75 meters. It was built almost 1500 years ago in 491 during the northern Wei Dynasty. The Chinese call this Temple complex XuanKongSi.

The temple is located in Shanxi Province, 65 kilometers southeast of the city of Datang, it looks as if the entire Temple is held up on a steep Cliff by the power of Prayer. Perhaps prayers help because the temple is unique; it is the only Temple of three religions in China. It combines Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian altars. It has everything that other temples have: the main gate, the bells, and drum Towers, the main and side Halls. The largest structure of the monastery is called sangana, and it stands on a stone ledge. There are also 40 halls in Pavilions, but they are smaller than the sangana. They are built on pallets that lie on beams hammered into the Rocks. The rock is used as the back wall of the rooms, and niches are made in it for statues. The larger the niches, the more statues they contain, and the larger they are.

Upon first glance, the temple’s buildings seem to have been partially swallowed by an expanding mountain rather than built onto and into it. Some of the pathways that connect the separate buildings are hewn into the mountain. Others feature the same design as the buildings themselves – parked atop seemingly impossibly-thin wooden poles.

It is composed of three main sections:

North Pavilion

This pavilion is three storeys tall, 4 metres (13 feet) wide and 7 metres (23 feet) in length. Wufo Hall, which is located on the lowest floor is dedicated to the Five Dhyani Buddhas. Above it is Guanyin Hall and on the top storey is Sanjiao Hall. Sanjiao Hall, or the Hall of the Three Religions is widely regarded as the most important room in the Hanging Temple, at least in terms of symbology. It contains large statues of Buddha Shakyamuni, Lao-Tze and Confucius standing together.

Given that the Hanging Temple is the only surviving example of the concept of the Three Teachings Harmonious as One, the Hall of Three Religions is perhaps the most important of these chambers. The idea of Three Teachings Harmonious as One, which emphasises the complementary nature and unifying ideas of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Accordingly, the hall features sculptures of deities of all three religions. Three large statues take centre stage here: Buddha Shakyamuni in the middle, flanked by Lao-Tze on his left and Confucius on his right.

South Pavilion

Slightly larger than the North Pavilion, it is also three storeys tall and 4 metres wide but longer at 8 meters (26 feet). The North Pavilion contains Sanguan Hall. It is the biggest hall of the Hanging Temple and is home to a 2-metre tall clay sculpture, the largest in the complex. On the middle storey is Chunyang Palace, which is dedicated to Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. He is the most popular Taoist character in Chinese culture. Leiyin Hall, which is dedicated to Buddhist deities is on the top storey.

The Long Bridge

The top storeys of the two pavilions are linked by a 10-metre (30 feet) bridge (a stairway has been cut into the mountainside to link the lowest storeys). A small balcony for worshipping sits above the bridge.

However, as impressive as the Hanging Temple appears from the outside, the bulk of the builders’ efforts went into the portion of the complex that is ensconced within the rock. 40 halls and pavilions lie inside, covering an area of 125 m².

The biggest and most prominent halls are the Hall of Three Religions, Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Hall, Hall of Shakyamuni, Qielan Hall (Hall of Sangharama), Sanguan Hall (Hall of the Three Officials) and Chunyang Hall.

Spread throughout the other halls are 78 sculptures made from stone, terracotta, copper and iron. They are remarkable for their vivid and detailed depiction of facial features and clothing.

Construction

Despite its precarious location and the logistical challenges construction must have presented, no design feature that is seen in other temples of the period has been spared. The two main buildings sport traditional multiple-roof designs, eaves and balconies with images of auspicious creatures like dragons common to Chinese holy structures.

Today, the part of the temple that extends beyond the face of the cliff is supported by poles made of oak. These poles have been inserted into holes chiselled out of the rock. From a distance, the brown oaken poles meld into the background, making the temple appear to float in the air.

Amazingly, the real support framework for the temple complex is hidden within the mountain and the structure itself. If these external vertical poles were removed, the hanging temple would continue to hang!

While it’s impossible to overlook the fact that the architecture disrupts the natural rock wall formation, a closer examination reveals something quite astounding. The way the roof, walls, and other structures seamlessly integrate with the rock pattern suggests that significant care and effort were put into minimizing any unnecessary destruction.

A unique mechanical theory guided the construction of the framework. Crossbeams were partially inserted into the rock as the foundation, while the rock in the back provided support. The Hanging Monastery seems to defy gravity, appearing to float in midair.

At certain points, a roof will abruptly end at an outcrop, only to resume on the other side, leaving the stone intact. This not only benefits the structural integrity of the building but also signifies a harmony with nature, a state to which all Buddhists aspire.

Construction experts from countries including Britain, Germany, and Italy have visited the monastery. In their opinion, the Hanging Monastery, which melds mechanics, aesthetics, and Buddhism, is a rarity. The monastery and everything it represents is a significant cultural achievement of the Chinese people.