Taiyin Temple in Jiang County: The location of the largest single-wood carved reclining Buddha in the country

Taiyin Temple, it is said to be named for its south-facing north or for its exclusive use by noble women. Although it is located in a remote location and the temple is not large, it has a rare treasure in the country! ⏰: 8:00-18:00 💰: Free 🏛: Zhangshang Village, Weizhuang Town, Jiang County, Shanxi Province, 📍: The fifth batch of national protection units 🌟: Wood-carved reclining Buddha Taiyin Temple stele Taiyin Temple, commonly known as the Reclining Buddha Temple, was established during the Northern Wei Dynasty, expanded during the Tang Dynasty, rebuilt the main hall during the Jin Dynasty, and was repaired during the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. At present, only the main hall is a relic of the Jin Dynasty, and the rest are newly built. The plaque of the main hall is huge, named 'Hall of the Great Hero', which is different from the writing of the Hall of the Great Hero in other places, which is rare in the country. The main hall is five bays wide and six beams deep, with a single eave and a hanging mountain top. The interior uses the 'column reduction method', and almost no columns can be seen in the entire main hall, only four golden columns are left behind the reclining Buddha. The highlight of the entire temple, and the largest single-wood carved reclining Buddha in the country, is in the Buddha's tent in the main hall. The reclining Buddha is 4 meters long, a single-wood golden body Sakyamuni Nirvana reclining statue, wearing a kasaya, with a dignified shape and a peaceful expression. The bun on the Buddha's head is clearly visible; the face is square and round, and the eyes are like 'pretending to sleep' and 'meditating', half-open and half-closed. The right hand is curved up, gently supporting the right cheek, the head is slightly raised, looking at the sky at a 45-degree angle. His left hand seems to be gently lifting the sleeve, and it seems to be lightly placed on the leg, which is very natural. In addition, a group of precious wooden panel murals painted during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty are well preserved in the wooden carved shrine, depicting a mourning scene, which is very rare. There were originally Jin Dynasty murals and colored sculptures in the hall, but unfortunately they were stolen and sold to the Netherlands during the Republic of China. Only the body of the Buddha statue is original, and the Buddha's head is repaired during the Republic of China, which is really not flattering. The 'Taiyin Temple Stele of the Main Reconstruction of the Carved Sutra' in the temple is also a treasure. It is related to the treasure of the National Library, the 'Zhaocheng Gold Collection'. The inscription records in detail the origin, initiator, engraving place and some incidents during the engraving process of the 'Zhaocheng Gold Collection'. The 'Zhaocheng Gold Collection' is a large-scale sutra collection engraved and printed based on the format of the first Song Dynasty woodcut version of the Chinese Tripitaka 'Kaibao Zang'. Because it was engraved during the Jin Dynasty and found in Guangsheng Temple, Zhaocheng County, Shanxi Province (now Hongdong County, Linfen), it was named 'Zhaocheng Gold Collection'. The statue of Monk Fashu next to the reclining Buddha is quite realistic, just like a real person. The chair he sits on is of an earlier age and is very rare.