https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/zhangzi-1446113-122919385
OrionSoulseeker27United States

The Buddhist statues of Chongqing Temple that touch the soul

Regret! Behind the death penalty, the difficult cultural preservation case of the theft of colored sculptures from Chongqing Temple in Changzi County, Changzhi City, China in the last century. In December 1991, Liu gathered Zhao and others to steal 12 heads of colored sculptures from the key cultural relic protection unit of Changzi Chongqing Temple twice, damaging 3 statues. After the case was solved, the main culprit Liu was sentenced to death, and all the stolen cultural relics were recovered and restored. The damaged ones were the three Bodhisattvas in the hall with the Eighteen Arhats, national-protected Song Dynasty sculptures, shattered into pieces on the ground. In the rapid development now, phenomena such as damaging historical relics, changing the environment, and destructively developing ancient sites still exist. Perhaps the restoration was too good, the heads had no saw marks, and the mounts of the three Bodhisattvas were still the original ones: the green lion, the white elephant, and the golden-haired roar. Their bodies still contained original fragments from the Northern Song Dynasty, respecting the original appearance, restoring the old as the old. But this article still hopes to let more people know about this past event, to serve as a warning, and to create a good environment for cultural relic protection. Chongqing, Changzi County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, southeast of the village, halfway up Ziyun Mountain, surrounded by pines and cypresses, there is a very peculiar forest of white pines, many of which are over a hundred years old. I went twice in the same summer two years apart. In the afternoon, entering from the small gate on the right side of the mountain gate, the garden scenery was magnificent. Three little dogs each occupied a piece of shade for a nap. The remaining time was solely yours. It is difficult to describe that atmosphere and feeling. The moment you step in, your eyes will briefly adapt to the bright sky outside. I felt that light had a tangible medium at that moment. In the ninth year of the Dazhong Xiangfu period of the Song Dynasty, a thousand years have passed, but the time here remains tranquil. When traveling to Shanxi, you should not only know about Wutai, Datong, and Yuncheng but also remember Changzhi. This is a crucial point in the Taihang Mountain area and the plains, controlling the north-south traffic, the Zhuozhang River Valley. The soil foundation here makes Shanxi's heritage even deeper.
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Posted: Jul 11, 2024
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