Foguang Temple

2005-2009 Progress Report

Wutai Mountain, ,

In partnership with Shanxi Bureau of Cultural Relics and the Shanxi Institute of Ancient Architectural Conservation

GHF Project Directors Ms. Kuanghan Li, Manager, GHF China Mr. Ren Yiming, Conservation Manager, Shanxi Institute

July 2009

Executive Summary

GHF helped the Shanxi provincial authority secure matching funding from the central government to support the restoration and scientific conservation of the 1,200-year old Foguang Temple at Wutai Mountain, one of China’s five for . Over $900,000 in matching cofunding was secured from the Shanxi Provincial government for the work to date, and the Chinese national government is expected to fund approximately US$1.2-1.6 million (RMB10-12 million) for the restoration of the Grand East Hall that is projected to begin in 2010, contingent upon final approvals.

Foguang Temple is considered to be the ‘Fountainhead’ of classical . Built during the , Foguang Temple is a tribute to the peak of Buddhist art and architecture from the 9th century. Grand East Hall of Foguang Temple is one of the oldest and most significant extant wooden structures in China; it is one of two last remaining Tang Dynasty Chinese temples.

Until GHF’s initiative, Foguang Temple had not been repaired or conserved since the 17th century. The temple suffers extensive structural damages caused by landslide, water damages from leaking roof, pests and foundation settlement; which are threatening to permanently damage Foguang Temple, the last of China’s oldest wooden architectural wonders. GHF carried out a multi-stage program at a total cost of over $1,060,000 to save the Temple Complex:

1) Master Conservation Planning

2) Architecture conservation

The Foguang Temple project was completed under a collaborative agreement with Shanxi Institute of Ancient Architecture Conservation and Research (SIAACR). After five years of collaboration, the Master Conservation Plan for all the cultural resources in and around the temple compound has been completed and approved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH). The restoration plan for Grand East Hall is in its final refinement and pending national (SACH) approval is expected in 2010. Architecture and site surveys, structural analysis, conservation plan and site conservation were completed with aid by GHF’s co-funding.

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 2

GHF Foguang Project Budget Summary

Work Completed Duration GHF Partner Total Funding Funding Co-Funding

1. Master Planning 2005-2008 $50,000 $100,000 $150,000

2. Site Conservation 2007-2008 $50,000 $700,000 $750,000

3. Site Survey + 2004-2009 $20,000 $30,000 $50,000 Grand East Hall Conservation Plan

4. Project Management 2005-2009 $110,000 - $110,000

Total Costs $230,000 $830,000 $1,060,000

Above: View of monk housing repaired with support from GHF (May 2009)

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 3 1. Master Conservation Planning

Above: Development model for the complex. Below: Conservation treatment plan.

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 4 Master Conservation Planning

Above: Detailed technical documentation of temples and structures, as well as surveys and excavations (below) were undertaken (2007).

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 5 Areas Restored at Foguang Temple Monastery

2. Site Conservation

Architectural conservation of major halls and buildings undertaken in 2008 includes:

• Tianwang Hall/Entrance Gate ongoing • Xiangfeng Huayu Building • Senhuizhi Garden Gate • Northern Wing Monks‘ Quarter

Emergency supports for northeast and northwest corner of the Grand East Hall (Dongda Dian) were in place. Flood protection now works on both sides of the temple. The Conservation Plan for the eight historic tomb in the surrounding vicinity has been completed and submitted for review, of which, the most famous being Monk Zhiyuan’s Tomb . Restoration of the Master’s Tomb Pagoda, adjacent to the Grand East Hall, has been completed.

In 2007, SIAARC submitted the conservation plan for the Grand East Hall to SACH and invited six national experts to review the plan in-situ. Their final approvals are still pending, but the Shanxi Provincial authorities have confirmed that the restoration costs of the East Hall will be funded by the national government once the conservation plan receives final approvals ($1.2-1.6 million in funding). This is exceptional to secure such levels of funding based on a relatively limited investment by GHF in the conservation planning and studies for the East Hall.

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 6

Above: Building emergency supports for the Grand East Hall. (May 2008) Below: Before and after structural stabilization and replastering of the Master’s Tomb Pagoda. (Summer 2007, summer 2008)

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 7

Above: View of the Monks’ Quarter under restoration (2008). Below: View of the Senhuizhi Garden Gate under restoration (May 2008).

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 8

Above: South facade of the Entrance Gate under restoration. (May 2008) Below: Finished interior, repainted according to the original pattern. (May 2009)

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 9 Summary of Progress – Foguang Temple Conservation

GHF participation and support: • Supported the Foguang Temple Master Conservation Plan by ;

• Restorations and repair of all Foguang Monastery Complex buildings except the Grand East Hall;

• Environmental improvements of the main roadways, ground paving, landscaping, drainage and flood prevention, power and security systems, fire access route, flush system toilet, etc.

• Emergency supports for northeast and northwest corner of the Grand East Hall;

• Conservation plan for Grand East Hall including documentation and survey, diagnostic investigation of the wood structure and foundation, etc.;

• SIAARC Mission visited USA on a study trip to learn about the conservation and management of American heritage sites;

• Lectures and training on conservation concepts and techniques by GHF’s John Hurd, Director of Conservation and Kuanghan Li to SIAARC staff in Taiyuan.

Other major milestones achieved by local partners:

• Successful inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with five other Wutai Mountain Sites;

• Establishment of an archive, where movable cultural heritage and documents relating to Foguang Temple that are scattered in different places can be collected and exhibited;

• Dust removal and cleaning of over 400 polychrome clay sculptures inside Grand East Hall;

• Restoration of the Master’s Tomb Pagoda adjacent to the Grand East Hall;

• Provisional protective shelter design for Grand East Hall by Tsinghua University in progress;

• Conservation plan of eight historic pagoda tombs.

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 10 Conclusion

Throughout the Foguang Temple active project years (2005-2009), GHF has witnessed the dedication and determination demonstrated by the local partners, and the challenges they faced while trying to protect one of the most significant examples of classical Chinese architecture.

With years of consistent efforts from the National, Provincial and local governments, Foguang Temple, along with five other sites in Wutai Mountain, was successfully inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2009. This jewel in the crown of Chinese architecture history has at last gained the international acknowledgment and attention that it deserves. Most importantly, its conservation needs and requirements are now faithfully addressed for Foguang Temple to continue standing as the only site in China with extant Tang Dynasty wooden structure of such monumentality. GHF is proud to have participated and contributed to this successful process of preserving Foguang Temple for future generations.

Above: All images were taken in May 2008

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 11 Foguang Monastery – After GHF Intervention (2009)

Above: All images were taken in May 2009 GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 12 Foguang Monastery – After GHF Intervention (2009)

Above: All images were taken in May 2009

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 13 Foguang Monastery – After GHF Intervention (2009)

Above: All images were taken in May 2009

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 14 Foguang Monastery – After GHF Intervention (2009)

Above: All images were taken in May 2009

GHF Foguang Temple Progress Report 15