Unveiling the Brahman Towers of Fantian Temple in Tongan: A Millennial Buddhist Legacy

In Xiamen's Tongan district, there are several gems that carry a thousand years of history and culture: the Brahman towers. Two of them stand silently north of the bell tower in Fantian Temple on Dalun Mountain in Datong Town, while the other is safely enshrined in Meishan Temple. They were originally guardians of the Xi'an Bridgehead in Tongan District. As attached buildings of the Xi'an Bridge, they are also known as the Xi'an Bridge Towers. According to the Tongan County Chronicle, Xu Yi and Shi Zongding from Tongan County built the Xi'an Bridge during the Yuanyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1086–1094 AD), and used four stone towers to guard it, with two at each end of the bridge. As time passed, in 1957, on the suggestion of Zheng Zhenduo, they were moved to their current location for proper protection. The Brahman towers have a unique shape, with a three-story square stone solid tower, 4.68m high. The Sumeru base is 1.78m high, and the four sides are embossed with agile running animals. The Hercules reliefs in the four corners are lifelike, as if supporting the weight of the years with endless power. The Buddha statue reliefs on each side of the second floor are solemn and dignified, as if silently telling the compassion and wisdom of Buddhism. The four sides of the third floor show images of Buddhist stories, and the Garuda reliefs in the four corners of the tower body seem to be ready to spread their wings and fly, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the pagoda. Among the three Brahman towers that still exist in Tongan, the two in Fantian Temple are particularly eye-catching. One is well preserved, and although the other has a damaged spire, it is still difficult to conceal its historical weight. The reliefs on the four sides of the tower seem to tell the four Buddha stories of the Buddha's life: "First Dharma Wheel", "Subduing Demons and Attaining Enlightenment", seemingly "Love Horse Farewell" and "Disciples Mourning". Each relief is like a silent history book, recording the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture. Among the existing Treasure Chest Seal Sutra-style pagodas in Fujian, the Brahman towers of Fantian Temple can be regarded as rare and exquisite works. It is not only a model of architectural art, but also an important carrier of historical culture. For this reason, it is listed as the first batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection units in Fujian Province. When you approach the Brahman towers of Fantian Temple, you can feel the faith and piety of that era as if traveling through a thousand years of time. Every stone and every relief is telling the world an ancient story, waiting for those who are destined to listen.