Lingyan Temple (Jinan)

Not to be confused with Lingyin Temple.
The Qiānfó-diàn (Thousand Buddha Hall) enshrines Ming dynasty statues of Vairocana (center), Amitabha (left) and Bhaisajyaguru (right). The projecting tongues from Vairocana's "puffball" throne are petals that symbolize his radiance in infinite directions.

Lingyan Temple (simplified Chinese: 灵岩寺; traditional Chinese: 靈巖寺; pinyin: Língyán Sì; lit. 'Temple of the Spiritual Rocks') is a Buddhist temple located in Changqing District, Jinan, Shandong Province, China, about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of the city of Tai'an.[1] The temple grounds are situated in a valley on the western edge of the Taishan range. The Lingyan Temple has a long recorded history, and was one of the main temples in China during the times of the Tang and Song Dynasties. Its most renowned landmarks are the 11th century Pìzhī-tǎ (辟支塔; "Pizhi Pagoda") and the Qiānfó-diàn (千佛殿, "Thousand Buddha Hall") which houses a Ming dynasty bronze Buddha statue as well as 40 painted clay statues of life-size luohan from the Song dynasty.[2]

  1. ^ Valder, 118.
  2. ^ Valder, 119.