Illumination at Fahai Temple
- By William Wang
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E-mail CRI, April 19, 2012
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A replica of Goddess of Guanyin fresco in Fahai Temple. Photo taken for CRI by William Wang, April, 2012. |
The frescoes are extensive, showcasing 77 figures, each one portrayed with immaculate attention to detail. Gods, nobles, animals and monsters weave tightly amongst each other in a world that was carefully orchestrated by 15 of China's best Ming dynasty artists.
At the back of the hall is a 1.6 metre tall fresco of the goddess Guanyin, the impressive central figure of a trio of Buddhas. She serenely floats in a perfect halo of light, draped with ornate jewelry, the singular focus of the animals and boddhisattvas who gaze upon her from the circumference.
Three large Budddhas occupy the centre of the room, but they don't carry the gravity of the surrounding frescoes, which is unsurprising considering that they were just brought in around 1995. The original sculptures of the eunuch responsible for creating the temple and accompanying Buddhas were sadly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
There's no denying that the half-century-old frescoes are impressively preserved, but for those who want a clearer picture of their original magnificence (or who are afraid of the dark), there are replicas in the Apothecary temple, where viewers can more easily piece together pieces of the puzzle. Admittedly, the replicas may give you a better understanding of what's happening, but… the magic's not there.
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