Zhengding Kaiyuan Monastery, Sumeru Pagoda  正定開元寺須彌塔

Building Information

The Sumeru Pagoda was originally built during the 10th year of the Zhenguan period of Tang dynasty (636). It was rebuilt in the 41st year of the Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty (1562), collapsed naturally in the 18th year of the Shunzhi period of Qing Dynasty (1661), and was restored again in the 7th year of the Kangxi period of Qing Dynasty, (1668). 3

The existing structure is a hollow, square, nine-story, pavilion (louge 樓閣 ) -style brick pagoda rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, standing 40.62 meters tall. The square brick base measures 1.5 meters in height. The first story of the pagoda is relatively tall, with an arched door on the south side. Stone corner pillars are embedded at the four corners, and each side features two stone statues of guardian warriors(lishi 力士) which are representative of Ming Dynasty craftsmanship. The pagoda narrows progressively from bottom to top, with the height and width of each story gradually decreasing. Between each story, the eaves are formed by corbelled bricks. Square windows are set on the south side of each story. The tapering exterior curves reflect the style of Tang Dynasty pagodas. 2

Above the doorway on the south side of the tower, a stone plaque with the inscription “須彌峭立” (Sumeru Tower Steadfastly Standing) is embedded. The first story features vertical lattice windows（zhilingchuang 直櫺窗）, and the pagoda’s top has a richly layered sōrin（tasha 塔剎） connected to the four corners of the tower’s roof with iron chains, giving the structure a simple and elegant appearance. 3

The interior floor of the pagoda is paved with square bricks. Originally, the upper section of the first story featured a of coffered ceiling (douba zaojing 鬭八藻井), but now only the central keel remains. The interior walls of the pagoda are vertical and interconnected from bottom to top. At the height of the first story’s eaves, a wooden roof has been added. A Buddhist altar is set up at the north gate of the tower to house the statue of Bodhisattva. The outer outline of the Buddhist platform is in the shape of a Sumeru pedestal and is made of bricks. 3