The site of an ancient Buddhist garden estimated to be more than 1,200 years old has been discovered in Chengdu, the capital of China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.
Working on the archaeological dig. From ECNS
Excavation of the garden, which has been dated to the Tang dynasty (618–907), was completed earlier in July near a construction site in downtown Chengdu. Archaeologists working on the dig uncovered 2,500 square meters of garden relics, including a 90-meter canal and a pond.
Yi Li, who led the excavation project, told the news agency Xinhua that the garden may have been part of a manmade landscape adjacent to a Buddhist temple during the same period. Many Buddhist sculptures were found near the temple during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), more than 100 years ago.
A drainage system made of bricks at the excavation site. From ECNS
According to archaeologists, during the Tang dynasty gardens were built in royal courts, temples, and private residences. Based on the rustic quality of pottery remains found at the site, the archaeologists have concluded that the garden belonged to a temple rather than a court or private residence, where pottery tended to be more elaborate.
Archaeologists working on the site also uncovered 18 tombs and a well. Porcelain and ceramic items, as well as stone sculptures related to Buddhism, were also found during the excavation.
Archaeological discoveries at Sanxingdui and Jinsha have established that the Chengdu region was inhabited more than 4,000 years ago and has long been an important cultural center in China.
Excavation of the garden in downtown Chengdu. From Shanghai Daily
Chengdu is home to a large number of historical sites and relics of archaeological interest, including the well-preserved Wenshu Monastery, home to the Buddhist Association of Sichuan Province and Chengdu City.
Initially built during the Tang dynasty, Wenshu Monastery was once called Xinxiang Temple. In 1681, during the reign of the Qing dynasty emperor Kangxi, an accomplished Buddhist monk named Cidu came to the temple. He built a simple hut between two trees and for several years lived an ascetic life there until his death. Legend has it that when Cidu was being cremated, the statue of the bodhisattva Manjushri appeared in the flames, so people regarded Cidu as a manifestation of Manjushri. Thereafter, Xinxiang Temple became Wenshu Monastery.