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An Analytical Study of the Form and Decorative Motifs of the Baoqieyin Pagoda from the Perspective of the Mount Sumeru Spatial Paradigm

Author(s)

Yuqiu Wang, Xiaofeng Zhao*

Affiliation(s)

School of Architecture & Art Design, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

The Baoqieyin Pagoda (Hōkyōintō in Japanese), a distinctive type within the Buddhist stupa tradition, uniquely combines rich cultural symbolism with architectural innovation. Its origin and development reflect the dynamic processes of cultural synthesis and localization that accompanied the dissemination of Buddhism into East Asia. While scholarly research on the Baoqieyin Pagoda has expanded in recent years, its significance within Buddhist cosmology, particularly its connection to spatial conceptions, remains underexplored. This study investigates relevant Buddhist scriptures to demonstrate a profound relationship between the Baoqieyin Pagoda and the Mount Sumeru spatial paradigm. Through a detailed examination of surviving Chinese examples, the paper further analyzes how the imagery associated with Mount Sumeru is intricately embedded in the structure and decorative patterns of the Baoqieyin Pagoda.

Keywords

Baoqieyin Pagoda; Decorative Motifs; Mount Sumeru Spatial Paradigm; Design Concept

References

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