Fengxian Temple

Gazing upon Fengxian Temple, can you sense the echoes of Empress Wu Zetian? Fengxian Temple, also known as the Hall of Ancestral Worship, reigns supreme among the Longmen Grottoes. It stands as a testament to the Tang dynasty’s artistic zenith, carved between 672 and 676 AD. Imagine Empress Wu Zetian, a woman of immense power, commissioning this monumental shrine. Her influence echoes in the colossal Vairocana Buddha, the largest statue at Longmen Grottoes. Towering at over 57 feet, with earlobes spanning 2 meters, this majestic Buddha is said to be modeled after the empress herself. Some even whisper it’s a “Chinese Mona Lisa.” Fengxian Temple housed nine colossal statues. The main Vairocana Buddha, plump and serene, exudes a peaceful, natural expression. Surrounding the Buddha are Kasyapa and Ananda, his principal disciples. Two crowned Bodhisattvas stand in attendance. The detail extends beyond the central figures. Lokapalas (guardians), dvarapalas (temple guards), flying devas, and numerous other figures adorn the temple walls. Empress Wu Zetian’s contribution to the temple’s completion is legendary. She reportedly donated “twenty-thousand strings of her rouge and powder money” to ensure its creation. The temple’s inscription reveals not only the year of its carving, 676 AD, but also honors Emperor Gaozong, the donor, and Wu Zetian. Fengxian Temple’s magnificence captures the “vigorous, elegant, and realistic style” of the Tang dynasty. The Vairocana Buddha is considered the “quintessence of Buddhist sculpture in China.” Standing before Fengxian Temple, we’re not just observing statues. We’re witnessing history, artistry, and the enduring legacy of an empress.