Legends and stories of ancient Chinese architecture
The legend of Leifeng Pagoda in ancient China:
The legend of Leifeng Pagoda's "Legend of the White Snake": In Zhenjiang City during the Song Dynasty, Bai Suzhen was a snake demon who had practiced for thousands of years. In order to repay Xu Xian, a scholar, saved his life in his previous life and wanted to repay his kindness. Later, he met Xiaoqing, a green snake spirit, and the two became friends. Bai Suzhen used her magic power and clever tricks to get acquainted with Xu Xian and marry him. After the marriage, monk Fahai of Jinshan Temple told Xu Xian that Bai Suzhen was a snake demon, but Xu Xian was doubtful.
Later, Xu Xian followed Fahai's method and made Bai Suzhen drink realgar wine on Dragon Boat Festival. Bai Suzhen showed her original shape, but frightened Xu Xian to death. Bai Suzhen went to heaven to steal the fairy grass Ganoderma lucidum and revive Xu Xian. Fahai deceived Xu Xian to Jinshan Temple and placed him under house arrest. Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing fought with Fahai and flooded Jinshan Temple, but they harmed other living beings. Because Bai Suzhen violated the laws of nature, she was taken into an alms bowl by Fahai after giving birth to a child and suppressed under the Leifeng Pagoda. Hou Bai Suzhen's son grew up and won the first prize. He went to the pagoda to sacrifice his mother, rescued her and reunited the whole family. ?
Extended information
The development of Leifeng Pagoda in the past dynasties
Leifeng Pagoda was built on Xizhao Mountain on the south bank of West Lake in the second year of Taiping and Xingguo in the Northern Song Dynasty (977).
In the second year of Xuanhe of the Northern Song Dynasty (1120), Leifeng Pagoda was seriously damaged by war. It was rebuilt during the Qingyuan period of the Southern Song Dynasty (1195-1200), and the buildings and furnishings regained their splendor, especially at dusk. The scenery of the setting sun is named "Leifeng Sunset" (Li Song's "West Lake Picture") and is included in the ten sceneries of the West Lake.
Since the Southern Song Dynasty, "Leifeng Sunset" has always been one of the most popular scenic spots in West Lake.
During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty (1522-1566), the Japanese pirates who invaded the southeast coast besieged the city of Hangzhou and set fire to the Leifeng Pagoda. After the disaster, only the brick body of the ancient pagoda remained, which was completely red, giving it a desolate and solemn look.
In the early Qing Dynasty, the incomplete beauty of the exposed brick body of the Leifeng Pagoda and its close relationship with the myth and legend of "The Legend of the White Snake" made it a popular tourist attraction among the ten scenic spots of the West Lake. Even Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong also came to visit and comment on it many times, and "Leifeng Sunset" became famous far and wide. ?
On September 25, 1924, the brick body of Leifeng Pagoda, which had been in disrepair for a long time, finally collapsed. Some of the bricks contained the "Secret Heart of All Tathagata's Whole Body Relics and Seal of the Dharani Sutra" "The scriptures came out, but the scenic spot of "Leifeng Sunset" has only existed in name only. The collapse of Leifeng Pagoda has attracted attention and discussion from the whole society. People from all walks of life have been looking forward to rebuilding this famous ancient pagoda.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Leifeng Pagoda