• Journal of architectural history
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.35-42
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• 2014

Luoyang Qielanji(洛陽伽藍記) is a document that describes Buddhist Temples in Luoyang, the capital of Northern Wei Dynasty. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the construction backgrounds, architectural elements and layout characteristics of Luoyang Temples in Northern Wei Dynasty. The results are as follows: The construction backgrounds of Luoyang Temples can be categorized into two types: the established-temple (創建型) and the converted-temple(捨宅爲寺型). The layout systems of Luoyang Temples can also be categorized into two main types: The front Pagoda-rear Buddhist Hall layout(前塔後殿), The front Buddhist Hall-rear Lecture Hall layout(前殿後堂). In Luoyang Temples, the pagoda was still an important element of the layout.