The Planar Compositions of Mahavira Halls in Inner Mongolian Buddhist Temples

Abstract

A Mahavira hall, Buddha hall, and Assembly hall are the three most important buildings in Buddhist temples in inner Mongolia. In particular, the Mahavira hall in Inner Mongolia is an integrated building of the Buddha hall and the Assembly hall, so it is a prominent place for worshipping an enshrined principal Buddha statue (Honzon) and chanting in there. It makes the Mahavira hall that has the highest specification and artistic value among the temple buildings. This study aims to clarify the characteristic planar composition of Mahavira halls in Inner Mongolian Buddhist temples.