Sutra Library - 藏經閣

The Scripture Depository: Treasury of Millennial Buddhist Wisdom

Historical Evolution

The Scripture Depository, also known as the Dharma Hall, is situated along the central axis behind the Mahavira Hall. Originally constructed during the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng era (1341-1368), its historical significance is evidenced through:

1. Architectural Standards: The 14 remaining Yuan Dynasty stone pillar foundations have been archaeologically confirmed as characteristic of official Yuan architecture
2. Documentary Records: The Ming Dynasty Wanli-era Shaolin Temple Chronicles explicitly records "the Dharma Hall storing over 5,000 volumes of scriptures"
3. Material Evidence: Woodblock-printed scriptures from the 3rd year of Kangxi reign (1664) are preserved within the hall

Architectural Artistry

The current structure was reconstructed from 1992-1993 based on historical documentation:

1. Structural Features:

Single-eaved hip-and-gable roof

Five-bay width (19.16m)

Four-bay depth (14.32m)

2. Architectural Details:

Green glazed tile roofing

Ornamental ridge with chiwen ornaments and pavilion-shaped finials

Five-step bracket sets with double-ang brackets

Two sets of intermediate bracket clusters in central bays, single sets in side bays

 

3. Restoration Standards: Reconstruction supervised by ancient architecture expert Du Xianzhou, strictly following Yingzao Fashi building standards

Precious Collections

The repository houses three major collections:

1. Buddhist Canons:

Chinese Buddhist Canon (200 volumes)

Dragon Tripitaka (Qianlong era)

Taishō Tripiṭaka (Japanese edition)

Goryeo Tripitaka (Korean edition)

2. Shaolin Special Collections:

Ming Dynasty manuscript of Shaolin Temple Chronicles

Kangxi-era woodblock scriptures

Works by历代高僧 (successive generations of eminent monks)

3. Modern Collections:

7-meter-long, 16.5-ton white jade reclining Buddha donated by Myanmar devotees (1997)

Contemporary Buddhist research成果 (achievements)

Cultural Significance

The depository's academic value manifests in:

1. Textual Studies: Multiple Tripitaka editions provide crucial references for Buddhist textual research
2. Architectural Studies: Exemplifies the evolution from Yuan official architecture to Ming-Qing styles
3. Cultural Symbolism: Inscription by Zhao Puchu symbolizes contemporary Buddhist cultural传承 (transmission)

Having survived destruction and been reborn, the Scripture Depository safeguards not only Buddhist wisdom but also testifies to Shaolin culture's resilient vitality. From Yuan stone pillars to the modern jade Buddha, this cultural treasury continues to preserve Chinese Buddhism's millennial Dharma lineage.