Date: Early 20th century photographers: Kishida Hideto and Tsuchiura Kamejou source: Historical Relics of Jehol (Sagami Bookstore, 1940)
A pair of stone elephant statues stands in front of the Five-pagoda Gate, symbolizing the Mahayana School of Buddhism. As elephants are capable of carrying heavy burdens, these statues imply that the Mahayana school carries the most important responsibility of saving people's souls.
The Glaze Archway of Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Date: Early 20th century photographers: Sekino Sada and
Takeshima Takuichi
Source: Jehol (Zayu Takara Publication, 1934)
This is a three-bay, four-column, seven-storied glaze archway in the Han Chinese style. The stone board in the middle of the front side of the archway carries the inscription of four Chinese characters "PumenYingxian" written by Emperor Qianlong, meaning "Guanyin Bodhisattva opening the door to save all fleshes." On the back of the archway are inscribed another four Chinese characters "Lianjie Zhuangyan," meaning "the site where Guanyin Bodhisattva resides and practices is holy and awe-inspiring."
Around 30 white towers stand in the central part of the Putuo Zongcheng Temple complex, featuring different sizes, shapes, levels, and functions. The white tower groups contrast with the Red Tower, forming a microcosm of the temples at the foot of the Small Potala Palace.
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