Shengshui Temple, Mianyang, Sichuan, China:
The Interplay of Time, Space and Matter
Li Longlong
(Hebei Academy Of Fine Arts, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province 050700)
[Abstract]Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives such as the philosophy of space and thesociology of material culture and time, this study transcends the one-dimensional analyticalframeworks of traditional architectural or religious history to conduct an in-depth analysis ofShengshui Temple in Mianyang, Sichuan. This research highlights Shengshui Temple as a dynamicspatial system, characterised by the continuous interaction of three dimensions: 'space', "time' and"objects'. This spatial structure not only creates unique forms of religious practice but also shapesconcrete bodily experiences, achieved through the demarcation of boundaries between the sacred andthe secular, and the harmonious coexistence of ritualised processes with the natural environment. Theobjects within the temple not only embody the core tenets of religious doctrine but also imbue thespace with spiritual narrative significance, serving as repositories of memory and symbols of faith; theevolution of the historic architecture is thus crystallised, whilst the life trajectories of the faithful arerevealed through the cyclical passage of time. This study ultimately concludes that the distinctivenessof Shengshui Temple stems from the complex and dynamic interplay between space, time andmateriality. This dynamic construction renders it a cultural vessel with enduring vitality, providingtheoretical support for the continued existence of traditional religious sites in China.
[Keywords]Shengshui Temple; space; time; co-construction
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