Mahavira Hall
Mahavira Hall is the largest structure within Yongzuo Temple, measuring 19.35 meters in width and 11.3 m in depth. It was built during the Wanli reign (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under the supervision of the eminent monk Master Miaofeng.
The hall is a beamless structure made of brick, imitating traditional timber construction. Architectural elements such as beams, purlins, rafters, columns, bracket sets and decorative panels are all rendered in fine-polished fired clay bricks, giving rise to the nickname “Beamless Hall”.
Inside, the hall enshrines three Buddhas: Shakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru (the Medicine Buddha). The bronze statue of Amitabha stands 3.85 meters tall, with a dignified expression and elegantly flowing lines. It is an original piece dating back to the temple’s founding and holds significant historical and artistic value.
Intermediate Hall (Guo Dian)
Built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Passage Hall stands between the Wenfeng Pagoda and the Xuanwen Pagoda. It spans 3 bays (a bay is the space between two pillars) in width and 1 bay in depth, and features a curved shed roof. The entrance is set in the central bay, with windows in the flanking bays.
Like other structures in the temple complex, it is constructed with brick vaulting that imitates timber architecture. However, the brackets are smaller, the structure is simpler, and the overhanging eaves and upturned corners are relatively short. Compared to other brick-imitating timber buildings in the temple, this hall is more solid and unadorned in appearance — marked by a modest and rustic simplicity.
Rear Hall (Hou Dian)
The Rear Hall consists of two levels. The lower level features a kiln-shaped structure with a brick vault and spans 3 bays (a bay is the space between two pillars), with a central doorway. Its structure and craftsmanship are relatively simple, suggesting it was built during the Republic of China (1912-49). The upper level is a pavilion-style structure accessible via staircases on both the left and right sides of the lower floor.
According to local accounts, the pavilion originally enshrined the Three Saints of the Western Pure Land (Amitabha, Avalokitesvara, and Mahasthamaprapta). However, the upper pavilion eventually fell into ruin, and the original statues were lost. In 1981, during the restoration of the Xuanwen Pagoda, the upper pavilion was rebuilt as part of the same project.