Pagodas of Learning: Xuanzang and the Wild Goose Towers

At Da Ci'en and Jianfu Temples, brick pagodas rose to house newly translated sutras. Follow Xuanzang's scrolls up the Giant and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, and see how the 845 purge emptied cloisters and repurposed halls.

Episode Narrative

In the heart of 7th century China, a remarkable transformation unfolded in Chang'an, the bustling capital of the Tang dynasty. This era was marked not only by the flourishing of arts and culture but also by an expansive engagement with Buddhism, brought to life through architecture and scholarship. Here, in the midst of vibrant markets and the whispers of traders from distant lands, stood the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, completed in 652 CE at the Jianfu Temple. It was built to house the Buddhist sutras and figurines that the esteemed monk Xuanzang painstakingly brought back from India.

Xuanzang’s storied journey was foundational not only to his own spiritual growth but also to the broader spread of Buddhist thought in East Asia. He traveled thousands of miles, enduring hardships and crossing treacherous terrains, driven by an insatiable quest for authentic teachings. Upon his return, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda emerged as a symbol, a key architectural monument signifying this cultural flourishing of Buddhism in the Tang dynasty and the deepening connection between China and India.

Fast forward to 704 CE, when the construction of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at the Da Ci'en Temple was completed. Originally a five-story brick structure, it would later be expanded to seven stories, reflecting the Tang dynasty's prowess in architecture and their reverence for Buddhist scriptures. Its design echoed the Indian stupa but harmonized with Chinese architectural styles, introducing multi-eaved, square-based towers that would inspire generations to come. As the walls rose, they were not just bricks and mortar; they represented a union of beliefs, a melding of cultures, and a testament to the grand ambition of the Tang rulers.

Yet, all was not to remain serene in Chang'an. In 845 CE, the winds shifted dramatically. Under the heavy hand of Emperor Wuzong, the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution struck with a vengeance. Monasteries were closed, temples were repurposed, and the echo of chanting monks fell silent. The once-thriving Jianfu and Da Ci'en Temples, now shrouded in a bleak silence, felt the sharp sting of this purge. The flourishing of sutra translation and the vibrant pictorial traditions that had graced the walls of these pagodas came to an abrupt halt, leaving behind empty cloisters and ghosts of a more prosperous age.

In that turbulent storm, the very fabric of Buddhist life across the Tang dynasty seemed to unravel. The presence of bricks and stone in the construction of the Wild Goose Towers represented not merely an architectural advancement but a fundamental shift in resilience. Unlike their aging wooden predecessors, these structures, built with meticulous masonry and robust techniques, stood defiantly against the ravages of change. Such durability was rooted in Buddhist symbolism as much as it was in practicality.

The Wild Goose Pagodas, embodying this duality of purpose, were not only places of worship or learning; they also served vital political roles within the heart of Chang'an. Their towering presence was a constant reminder of the imperial endorsement of Buddhism, intertwined with the cultural narratives of the time. This cosmopolitan city, rich with the exchanges of the Silk Road, cradled the Wild Goose Pagodas and nurtured the seeds of Buddhist scholarship, allowing them to blossom into centers of translation and manuscript preservation.

The intricate construction techniques used during the Tang period, highlighting the marriage of aesthetics and structural integrity, showcased the ingenuity of their builders. These pagodas featured straight tenon joints that anchored wooden columns, a sought-after technique symbolizing strength and stability. This architectural prowess would influence not only the pagodas of the Tang dynasty but also set a precedent for the later constructions of the Song dynasty.

As the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda rose higher and higher, its stature in the urban landscape of Chang'an reminded all of the profound impact of Xuanzang’s translations. Each story of that pagoda held sacred texts that had traveled vast distances, enriching the spiritual landscape of China and cementing Buddhism’s presence in the heart of its civilization. The pagoda became not merely a structure of stone but a repository of knowledge, embodying the essence of learning that Xuanzang had worked so diligently to preserve.

Yet amidst the brutality of the 845 purge, the Wild Goose Towers endured. They became cultural landmarks, defying the tides of time and the tumult of political change. While many Buddhist sites fell into disrepair, the pagodas stood as beacons of resilience. Their survival spoke volumes about their significance in a society increasingly unsure of its spiritual direction.

The story of the Wild Goose Pagodas is entwined with the very essence of the Tang dynasty — a tapestry threaded with the aspirations of an era that embraced cultural diversity and intellectual pursuit. The closures of monasteries and the secularization of temples starkly contrasted with the earlier vibrancy of the Buddhist institutions. Yet, as history often teaches us, these structures transitioned into symbols of something greater, encompassing not just the relics of spiritual life but the enduring heritage of an empire.

Restoration became a part of their narrative in the ensuing dynasties. Under the attention of later rulers, particularly during the Song dynasty, the Da Ci'en Temple complex underwent revivals, reflecting the lasting legacy of Tang architecture and the pertinence of Buddhist culture. These pagodas became a point of reflection — a mirror to the complexities of faith, politics, and artistic expression through the centuries.

As we contemplate the Wild Goose Towers today, we are compelled to confront the questions they pose. What remains of the teachings that Xuanzang so fervently sought and translated? How do we honor the journeys, both literal and spiritual, that shaped such monumental spaces? In a rapidly changing world, where the echoes of the past often clash with contemporary realities, these ancient pagodas stand steadfast, whispering stories of resilience, faith, and the quest for knowledge.

In their enduring presence, the Wild Goose Pagodas are not just remnants of stone. They are living legacies. They invite us to reflect on an age when cultural exchange flourished, when the thirst for understanding knew no bounds, and when architecture, art, and spirituality intertwined to create something that transcended the mundane. They stand tall as a reminder that learning, much like these pagodas, is a journey — not merely for the self, but for a community that thrives on shared stories and collective wisdom. As we gaze upon their weathered stones, may we remember the spirit of Xuanzang and the timeless quest for enlightenment that shaped a civilization.

Highlights

In 652 CE, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda was constructed at the Jianfu Temple in Chang'an (modern Xi'an) to house the Buddhist sutras and figurines brought back by the monk Xuanzang from India, marking a key architectural monument of the Tang dynasty's Buddhist cultural flourishing. - By 704 CE, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda at Da Ci'en Temple was completed under the Tang dynasty, originally built as a five-story brick structure to store the Buddhist scriptures Xuanzang translated, later expanded to seven stories; it exemplifies early Tang brick pagoda architecture combining Indian stupa influences with Chinese structural techniques. - The 845 CE Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution under Emperor Wuzong led to the closure and repurposing of many Buddhist monasteries and pagodas, including those at Da Ci'en and Jianfu Temples, emptying cloisters and halting sutra translation activities, which significantly impacted the use and maintenance of these monuments. - Tang dynasty pagodas like the Wild Goose Towers were primarily constructed using brick and stone, a shift from earlier wooden pagodas, reflecting advances in construction technology and fire resistance, with structural principles rooted in Buddhist symbolism and Chinese architectural norms. - The architectural design of the Wild Goose Pagodas incorporated multi-eaved, square-based towers with gradually tapering stories, reflecting a synthesis of Indian stupa form and traditional Chinese timber-frame aesthetics, which influenced later pagoda construction in China. - The Da Ci'en Temple complex, where the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda stands, was a major religious and cultural center in Chang'an, serving as a hub for Buddhist learning, translation, and manuscript preservation during the Tang dynasty's peak (618–907 CE). - The brick pagoda construction techniques of the Tang period involved precise masonry and the use of straight tenon joints in wooden column frames supporting the structures, as evidenced by studies on the Foguang Temple East Hall, highlighting the era's architectural ingenuity. - The location of the Wild Goose Pagodas in Chang'an, the Tang capital, symbolized the imperial endorsement of Buddhism and the integration of foreign religious culture into Chinese society, with the pagodas serving both religious and political functions. - The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda originally stood at five stories but was raised to seven stories in the 8th century, demonstrating the Tang dynasty's architectural adaptability and the importance placed on monumental scale to reflect religious significance. - The 845 purge led to the conversion of many Buddhist sites into secular or Taoist uses, causing a decline in the maintenance of pagodas and monasteries, but the Wild Goose Pagodas survived as important cultural landmarks, later restored in subsequent dynasties. - The Tang dynasty's cosmopolitan capital Chang'an, where these pagodas are located, was a nexus of Silk Road trade and cultural exchange, which influenced the architectural styles and the religious artifacts housed within the pagodas. - The brick pagoda style of the Tang dynasty, exemplified by the Wild Goose Pagodas, set a precedent for later Song dynasty pagodas, which continued to refine the structural and aesthetic elements introduced during this period. - The Da Ci'en Temple and Jianfu Temple complexes included not only pagodas but also extensive monastic buildings, reflecting the scale of Buddhist institutional architecture in early medieval China and the role of architecture in supporting religious scholarship. - The Wild Goose Pagodas functioned as repositories for Xuanzang’s translated sutras, making them centers of Buddhist learning and manuscript preservation, which was critical for the dissemination of Buddhist texts throughout East Asia. - The brick construction of the Wild Goose Pagodas allowed for greater durability compared to earlier wooden pagodas, which were more vulnerable to fire and decay, contributing to their survival into the present day. - The architectural style of the Wild Goose Pagodas reflects the Tang dynasty’s synthesis of foreign and native influences, combining Indian Buddhist stupa forms with Chinese architectural traditions, symbolizing the era’s cultural openness. - The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’s height and imposing presence in Chang'an’s urban landscape served as a visual symbol of the Tang dynasty’s religious and political power, reinforcing the emperor’s role as a patron of Buddhism. - The 845 anti-Buddhist persecution caused a significant disruption in the architectural patronage of Buddhist monuments, but the Wild Goose Pagodas’ survival indicates their importance beyond purely religious functions, possibly as imperial or cultural symbols. - The Da Ci'en Temple’s architectural complex, including the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, was restored and maintained during the Song dynasty, showing the lasting legacy of Tang architectural achievements and Buddhist cultural heritage. - Visuals for a documentary could include architectural cross-sections of the Giant and Small Wild Goose Pagodas, maps of Chang'an highlighting temple locations, and timelines showing the construction, expansion, and impact of the 845 persecution on Buddhist architecture.

Pagodas of Learning: Xuanzang and the Wild Goose Towers

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