Out of the shadows

Under a flashlight the enigmatic beauty of the Fahai frescoes appears in its full glory. When the beam of light is thrown parallel to the frescoes (center), embossed parts of stucco and gold in the artwork are revealed.[Photo by Feng Yongbin/China Daily]

And few, according to Lu, have dug deep into the history of the frescoes, and by extension that of the temple. Built between 1439 and 1443, Fahai Temple was commissioned and funded by Li Tong, a powerful eunuch of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) who is believed to have served five successive emperors. According to the historical records, Li built the temple to express his gratitude for royal favor. And to create the murals, artists were recruited from all over China and worked under the supervision of the most celebrated court painters of the day, among whom 15 had their names inscribed in a stele placed inside the temple.

The result of the five-year endeavor is a grand temple built on three terraces and scaling Cuiwei Mountain. The original design featured a main hall and four ancillary halls as well as a bell and drum tower and several side rooms. Today the main hall is the only building that has survived the ages, the others being reproductions. And the frescoes inside are the sole reminder of the length all those involved went to in creating this ultimate tribute to Buddha, and to the Ming emperors who were among the Buddha's most powerful worldly followers.