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Great Sutra Hall (Exotoric Buddhism Sutra Hall) is located in front of Grand Golden Tiled Hall, where is the gathering place for monks to chant and pay respect for Buddha. It was built in 1612 (the 42th year under the reign of Emperor Wanli in Ming Dynasty). It used to be a small sutra hall with 30 pillars, and then was rebuilt into one in a medium size with 80 pillars, and finally was expanded into a two-story Tibetan building with flatroof and 168 pillars (among which 60 are in walls) in 1776. In 1912 (the first year of the Republic of China), the hall was destroyed by a sudden fire, and then, in two and a half years and with the support of a living Buddha, it was rebuild into a hall with an area of 2750m2 and perimeter of 210m. The 108 pillars standing in the hall are carved with beautiful patterns of curled-up dragons and wrapped in colored carpets. Meditation mats are arranged in array with colorful carpet on them, which are for Lamas to gather for chanting. In addition, there are painted pillars, sutras, caissons, fresco of Buddhist stories, curtain, sutra cloth, pennants, streamers, canopy, embroidery and appliqué embroidery as well. Thousands of copper gold-plating statues of Tsongkhapa are enshrined in the walls, while hundreds of sutras are put on the shelves standing on both sides. The thrones for Dalai, Panchen and abbot are placed on the front. Various tall gold-plating copper sutra pillars, precious vases, bells, pagoda, dharma chakra and golden deer are placed on the roof. All those make the Great Sutra Hall splendid and magnificent, and be merged with the Grand Golden Tiled Hall. Moreover, the hall is also the Exotoric Buddhism Sutra Hall of the temple, which is the department to study the doctrine of Exotoric Buddhism. The study is focused on five sciences and theories as well as analyzing and arguing the thesis of Dharma Laksana. “Doruba” Degree (doctor degree of Exotoric Buddhism) is offered to monks who have made great accomplishments in studying doctrines. |
