Buddhist Temple Layout
Chinese Buddhist temples usually face south and consist of a group of halls and courtyards in a high-walled compound. The main halls stand on a north-south axis, with the side halls and courtyards arranged symmetrically on the sides.
A typical Buddhist temple is arranged like this: It has a gate usually called Mountain Gate (Shanmen), then a forecourt. The drum and bell towers stand on each side. A small hall opens and leads to the second courtyand. Visitors are welcomed by Maitreya, known as Milefo or Laughing Buddha, sitting in the centre on an altar. Behind the Laughing Buddha and facing inside is a fierce Buddha holding a vajra (mace) who is Veda and popularly known as Weito. He is guarding the temple without frightening away the pilgrims and visitors. On each side of the small hall stand two (sometimes just one) guardians, or devaraja (heavenly kings). They usually look very fierce, frightening and very powerful. Veda, or Weituo, heads the four guardians. The second courtyard is usually the biggest, and the largest main hall in the temple stands on a platform with flights of steps in the courtyard facing south. The hall houses one of the Buddha trinities. A large incense burner, usually cast in bronze or iron, stands on the platform in front of the hall for worshippers to burn incense. In the courtyard there is usually a small stream or river spanned by small bridges. The carps and tortoises in the river are put there by worshippers who buy captive ones and set them free there. Tall trees, mainly pines, are planted in the courtyard. On both sides to the east and west are side halls, usually housing other Buddhas.
Behind the main hall is another courtyard, usually smaller, and the central hall there may be dedicated to patron Buddhas, bodhisattvas or patriarchs of the temple. The side halls and rooms are usually classrooms and refection rooms. A library tower, usually a two-storey building, stands at the rear for housing Buddhist sutras, scriptures, literature and books. Behind the temple can usually be found the living quarters of the abbots, meditation rooms and kitchens. A pagoda courtyard is also behind the temple, or sometimes a bit further away from the temple. It is actually the monastery graveyard. Monks are cremated after death and their ashes are buried in or under the pagodas.
The temple architecture is traditionally Chinese, with single thatched roofs, thick columns and huge wooden beams. The walls are usually painted dark red or grey, and the halls are decorated in bright colors and gold. The statues of Buddhas are usually of clay, gilded on the outside.
