Buddhist Sutra Pavilion

Buddhist Sutra Pavilion
The Buddhist Sutra Pavilion at White Horse Temple, in Luoyang, Henan, China.
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	藏經閣
Simplified Chinese	藏经阁
Literal meaning	Sutra Depository
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zàng/ Cáng Jīng Gé
Alternative Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	藏經樓
Simplified Chinese	藏经楼
Literal meaning	Sutra Depository
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zàng/ Cáng Jīng Lóu
Vietnamese name
Vietnamese alphabet	Tàng Kinh Các or Hòa Trai
Chữ Hán	蔵經閣 or 蔵經樓
Korean name
Hangul	장경판전
Hanja	蔵經板殿
Transcriptions Revised Romanization Janggyeong Panjeon
Japanese name
Kanji	経蔵
Transcriptions Romanization Kyōzō

Buddhist Sutra Pavilion is a dedicated hall within Buddhist temple complexes for storing sacred scriptures, particularly the Buddhist canons. It serves as both a library and a place for doctrinal study. These structures are vital for preserving Buddhist teachings and have developed distinct architectural and cultural features across different regions. It is called Cang Jing Ge or Cang Jing Lou in China (藏经阁; 藏經閣; Zàng/ Cáng Jīng Gé or 藏经楼; 藏經樓; Zàng/ Cáng Jīng Lóu), Kyōzō (経蔵) in Japan, Janggyeong Panjeon (장경판전) in South Korea, Tàng Kinh Các and Hòa Trai in Vietnam, Hŏh Pra Trai Bidok หอพระไตรปิฎก in Taillang.

China

Buddhist Sutra Pavilion is a large building in Chinese Buddhist temples which is built specially for storing The Chinese Buddhist Canon (大藏經). The Chinese Buddhist Canon is the total body of Buddhist literature deemed canonical and was called "all the sutras" (一切經) in the ancient time. With four thousand kinds, it includes Āgama (經), Vinaya (律) and Abhidharma (論) texts. Āgama are theories made by Buddha for disciples to practice, Vinaya are the rules formulated by Buddha for believers and Abhidharma is the collection of theories explanations by Buddha's disciples.

A Buddhist texts library is generally two-storey buildings built at the highest point of the temple. The upper storey is for storing sutras and the lower layer is the "Thousand Buddha Pavilion" (千佛閣).

Japan

In Japan, a prime example of Buddhist Sutra Pavilion is the Tōdai-ji in Nara city, initially constructed in the Nara Period (710–794) as an oil storehouse and repurposed in 1714 during the Edo period to store sutras. Designated a National Treasure, it features a hongawara roof with clay tiles and a yokoro (well-frame) structure made of interlocking timber for enhanced ventilation, moisture resistance, and pest control. This design, refined during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, reflects classic Nara-era architecture. The depository safeguards invaluable Buddhist texts without housing specific Buddha images, emphasizing its preservation role.

South Korea

In Korean Buddhism, the Haeinsa Temple in Gayasan Mountain is renowned for its Buddhist Sutra Pavilion, built in the 15th century to house the Tripitaka Koreana—81,258 wooden printing blocks from the 13th century. These depositories, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, exhibit a scientific Joseon-era design with natural ventilation systems, adjustable windows, and moisture-regulating materials like charcoal and lime to protect the woodblocks. The structures are unadorned, prioritizing functionality.

Vietnam

In Vietnamese Buddhism, the Bổ Đà Temple (Phổ Đà Sơn) in Bắc Giang Province exemplifies this, serving as a major center for the Trúc Lâm Zen school since the Lý dynasty. The Buddhist Sutra Pavilion of architecture adheres to traditional Vietnamese principles, creating a serene, enclosed space. The temple complex includes a large stupa garden and preserves over 2,000 Han-Nom woodblocks of Buddhist texts, which are among the oldest in Vietnam. While the depository focuses on scripture preservation, the temple's main hall venerates Avalokiteshvara and other deities. Another significant site is Xá Lợi Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, which stores Pali scriptures on palm leaves and a Buddha relic.

Thailand

In Thailand, Buddhist Sutra Pavilion is designed to protect scriptures from the tropical climate's threats, such as humidity, insects, and rodents. Two main architectural styles exist: elevated pavilions over water (to prevent fire and pests) and land-based buildings with high foundations. The Buddhist Sutra Pavilion at Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) in Bangkok, part of the Grand Palace, is a prime example. It features a square, multi-tiered roof with serrated eaves and ornate decorations, including guardian yaksha figures. This depository houses a gold-leaf Buddhist canon. While the depository itself may not enshrine Buddha images, Wat Phra Kaew's main ubosot enshrines the revered Emerald Buddha, and the temple complex serves as Thailand's most sacred Buddhist site.

Further reading

• Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 9787302427056.
• Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 9787515401188.