Xuanmiao Temple, located in the middle of Guanqian Street in Suzhou, is a famous Taoist temple in China, which is as famous as Chenghuang Temple in Shanghai and Confucius Temple in Nanjing.
According to textual research, Xuanmiao Temple was built in the second year of Xianning in the Western Jin Dynasty (AD 276), and it has been 1730 years since. Formerly known as Zhenqing Daoyuan, it was renamed Kaiyuan Palace in the Tang Dynasty, Tianqing Temple in the Song Dynasty and Xuanmiao Temple in the Yuan Dynasty. When Emperor Qianlong went down to the south of the Yangtze River, he used Xuanmiao Temple as a temporary residence.
Entering from the main gate is the famous Sanqing Hall. Sanqing Hall was rebuilt in the sixth year of Xichun in the Southern Song Dynasty (1 179). The main hall is 40 meters high, with 9 rooms, 45 meters wide and 6 rooms 25 meters deep. Supported by 60 court columns, double eaves and buildings.
In the Sanqing Hall, there is a large plaque entitled "Education in the Early Ming Dynasty" given by Emperor Qianlong. The brushwork is vigorous and the font is vigorous, and the word "Miaohe" under the eaves is also magnificent. The top of the hall is painted with a dazzling array of algae wells, with gorgeous cranes and deer, clouds and the "eight dark immortals". The exquisite brick pedestal in the center of the temple is dedicated to the "Sanqing" gods: Jade Qing Yuanshi Tianzun (also known as Tianbaojun), Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun (also known as Taishang Daojun) and Taiqing Moral Tianzun (also known as Taishang Laojun). The three statues are tall, lifelike, golden eagle, kind-hearted and dignified, which can be called the most outstanding works in the Song Dynasty. Behind the temple, there are 60 statues of stars, and each statue has a sign, which indicates the name of the god who is "born year" and "worth year".
This mysterious temple has a long history and has preserved many important historical relics, monuments and inscriptions. The east, south and west sides of the front terrace of Sanqing Hall are surrounded by the finely carved "Tintin Stone Balcony", which is known as the "First Balcony in Suzhou". It consists of 38 lotus columns, 30 hollow railings, 12 embossed railings and 6 inclined railings. There is a legacy of portraits of the Han Dynasty on the railing, which is beautifully carved and skilled in knife work. Livestock and birds, human stories, vivid shapes. Sanqing Hall The Xuandi Qingtong Hall handed down from the Yuan Dynasty is made of copper alloy and bronze, which is really priceless.
The inscription on the mysterious temple is also famous all over the world. The most prominent is the statue of Laozi, a thinker and founder of Taoism in the Spring and Autumn Period carved by Sanqing Hall. The sculptor is rough, elegant in clothes and chic in spirit. It is said that it was painted by Wu Daozi, a great painter in the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 760 years. Inside the gate, stands the monument of "the mysterious temple that rebuilt the gate". On the east building of Sanqing Hall, there stands a blue stone tablet about 7 meters high and 3 meters wide. The waist of the flat seat is embossed with an embarrassing lion and beast, which is conspicuous from a distance and unfathomable from a close look. There are only looming patterns in the stele frame, but there is not a word in the stele. This is a tablet without words, one of the 18 scenes of the mysterious temple, simple, pure and curious.
In addition, the mysterious Taoist music that has been circulated for more than 1000 years is beautiful and melodious. Based on Suzhou grass spectrum, it widely collects syllables of ancient literati, adopts the phonology of court etiquette, and integrates the essence of folk music in Jiangnan, bamboo rhythm in southern Jiangsu, Kunqu opera and folk songs. Through the processing, refining and innovation of Taoist priests in past dynasties, unique music is also integrated with various musical instruments. From 65438 to 0994, Suzhou Daole Music Troupe went abroad for the first time and went to Belgium and Britain to visit and perform, which was well received by international friends.