Pagoda Of Tianning Temple (Changzhou)
On 25 May 2006 the lower levels of the pagoda caught fire. However, no permanent damage was done.
Structural features
The tower is supported by a 6,500 t steel structure. The grounds for the Tianning Temple Pagoda occupies a space of 27,000 m (290,625 ft). Complete with 68,038 kg (75 t) of gold and brass for the rooftops, additional bronze and jade decorations, and the use of wood imported from Myanmar and Papua New Guinea, the total cost of its construction was some 300 million yuan (US$38.5 million). The top story of the pagoda features a golden spire and a large bronze bell weighing 30,000 kg (33 t).
Religious significance
On the completion of the new pagoda at Tianning Temple, the mayor of Changzhou, Wang Weicheng, explicitly correlated his city's economic development with that of religious development in China. Following the end of religious persecution after the tumultuous Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), the Chinese Communist Party has relaxed its control over religion, especially Chinese Buddhism, which has some 100 million adherents within the People's Republic of China. The deputy abbot of Tianning Temple, Kuo Hui, said that like other religions Buddhism advocates peace and harmony, with ideas that could be beneficial to Chinese society. He also stated that the pagoda was rebuilt to "inherit the fine traditions of Buddhism and to honour Buddha." The pagoda is dedicated to Chinese Chan Buddhism.
Gallery
See also
Notes
- ^ China Daily. (April 30, 2007). World's Tallest Pagoda Inaugurated. Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ BBC News. (May 1, 2007). China Temple Opens Tallest Pagoda. News.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ The Star Online. (April 30, 2007). Buddhist rite opens world's tallest pagoda in China Archived 2008-05-29 at the Wayback Machine. Thestar.com.my. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
- ^ http://www.tianningsi.org (In Chinese). Pagoda Construction Archived March 16, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2014-12-18.
- ^ The Age. (May 1, 2007). China Inaugurates 'World's Tallest Pagoda'. Theage.com.au. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.