A Record of Buddhist Monasteries in Luoyang (洛陽伽藍記鉤沈)

Yao Guang Temple

The statue was established by Emperor Xuanwu of the Shizong era. It is located north of the imperial road at the Changhe Gate, two li east of the Qianqiu Gate.

Inside the Thousand Autumns Gate, to the north of the main road, lies the Western Gardens. In these gardens stands Lingyun Terrace, which was built by Emperor Wen of Wei. On top of the terrace is an octagonal well. North of the well, Emperor Gao of Northern Wei built the Liangfeng Tower. From this tower, one could gaze far into the distance, with the Luo River stretching as far as the eye could see. Beneath the terrace is the Azure Sea and a winding pond. East of the terrace stands Xuanci Hall, which rises ten *zhang* above the ground. Further east of the hall is the Lingzhi Fishing Platform, built from stacked timber and rising twenty *zhang* above the sea. The wind blows through the doors and windows, and clouds drift among the beams and pillars, with red pillars and carved rafters. All the immortals are depicted here, and a stone whale carved to bear the Fishing Platform on its back makes it look as if it has sprung up from the ground, and also as if it has descended from the sky. South of the Fishing Platform is Xuanguang Hall, to the north is Jiafu Hall, and to the west is Jiulong Hall. In front of this hall, nine dragons spout water to form a single sea. All four halls are connected by soaring walkways leading to the Lingzhi Platform. During the hottest days of summer, the emperor would stay on the Lingzhi Platform to escape the heat.

[Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of Emperor Wen of Wei] In the second year of the Huangchu era, the Lingyun Terrace was built.

According to the *Taiping Yulan*, a work from the Jin dynasty titled *List of Palace Halls* states: "Lingzhi Pond is one hundred fifty paces long and wide, and two fathoms deep. Above the pond there are connecting towers with flying pavilions, galleries extending in four directions, a fishing platform, and inside the pond there are boats named 'Crying Crane' and 'Pointing South.'" Investigating this, it reveals that the name "Lingzhi" did not originate from the Northern Wei dynasty.

There is a five-story pagoda, standing fifty zhang tall from the ground.

Immortal palms [Raised hands] reach toward the sky, a bell hangs from the clouds like a hanging pendant—the exquisite craftsmanship rivals that of the Yongning Monastery. The monastery has over five hundred nuns' quarters, with ornate lattice windows stretching continuously, doors and windows all connected. Precious trees and fragrant grasses are too numerous to count; there are even trees like "ox tendon" and "dog bone," and herbs like "chicken head" and "duck foot"—all available.

The nuns' quarters include spaces for imperial consorts and palace women to study the Way, and the ladies of the imperial harem all reside here. There are also daughters of noble families and virtuous women who love the Way; they shave their heads, bid farewell to their families, and come to this monastery, casting aside luxurious ornaments, donning simple robes of cultivation, and devoting their hearts to the Eightfold Path with sincere faith in the One Vehicle.

In the third year of Yong'an, when Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang and his troops plundered everywhere, several dozen Xiongnu cavalrymen from Xiurong entered the monastery and committed acts of debauchery. After this incident, the monastery suffered much ridicule and gossip. A popular saying in the capital went: "Men of Luoyang, hurry and tie up your hair—the nuns of Yaoguang Temple are taking husbands!"

North of Yaoguang Temple is the Chengming Gate, and there lies the Jinyong City.

This is the Jin Yongkang era, built during the Wei dynasty, where Emperor Hui was imprisoned in Jinyong City. At the northeast corner of the city stood Emperor Wen of Wei's Hundred-Foot Tower. Though many years passed, its form remained as it originally was. Emperor Gao constructed the Guangji Hall within the city, thus naming the Jinyong City Gate "Guangji Gate." He also built multi-storied structures and flying pavilions throughout the city, rising from the ground so high that, when viewed from below, they seemed like clouds.

The imperial palace was relocated, but construction was not yet complete. The emperor temporarily stopped here. On the south side of the former terrace, he built a night pavilion. The gate was called Qianguang Gate. On either side of the gate were erected two watchtowers. Beneath the towers, red wooden bridges were built over the moat to serve as the imperial road. To the east was Hanchun Gate, and to the north was a double-leaf gate. On the city walls to the east and west were rows of watchtowers, placed every fifty steps—small rooms were built atop them, each with a bell to keep time with the water clock and drum. To the northwest, a covered corridor connected the eaves, providing shade against the walls, with a broad pavilion nearby. During the hot summer days, Emperor Gaozu often came here to escape the heat. There was also a clear, deep pond located at the Jinyong site.

Built in the Yongjia era.