Architecture Research On The Great Huayan Monastery And Its Sutras Hall In Datong City

Liao Dynasty architecture, with plenty distinguished cases, is the component part that could not be ignored in Chinese existing ancient architectures. It plays a vital role to make research in Liao Dynasty architecture and to comprehend architecture in Tang and Song period of change; it is also the master key to explore the medieval architecture design rule, building cultural phenomenon and the refraction of religious thoughts behind architecture.The article is based on the settled high standard of observation of Liao Dynasty architecture, especially focused on the relatively neglected by the predecessors but extremely important Datong Great Huayan Monastery and Sutras Hall, to study comprehensively from the perspective of overall construction of Liao Dynasty and diverse social and cultural background.The article starts with the detailed discussion on the rise and fall of the time course and the reason of Great Huayan Monastery since Liao Dynasty, especially the importance of Great Huayan Monastery to regime and religious culture of Liao Dynasty. On the other hand, uses it as a proxy, to see the different roles and values in each time of the academic history. Then gives the most detailed investigation in order to comprehend the external image of the Sutras Hall, which from the perspective of overall development of architectural image of Liao Dynasty and one of the special meaning of the decoration of the architecture of Liao Dynasty. After that, it interprets the complete internal religious space design by the former influence of Buddhist concept.