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Introduction to Pagoda Forest

Pagoda forest is burial place for eminent monks of Shaolin temple and it has obtained its name for holding a large number of pagodas as thick as a forest. According to rules of Buddhism, after the death of a monk, his apprentices built a pagoda of a size representing his achievements, status in Buddhism, Buddhism knowledge, reputation and economic status. This is how a great number of pagodas of different sizes coming into existence to memorize feats of Shaolin eminent monks. Pagoda forest of Shaolin temple is the largest existing commentary pagoda groups in China, which include stone commentary pagodas totaling 228 of seven dynasties, namely Five Dynasties, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing and Tang dynasties. In addition, there are 3 modern pagodas and 14 stone sculptures. The shape and decoration designs, construction methods, and stone sculpturing techniques are real records of architecture design and construction methods of its construction periods, representing variations of artistic style and architecture design of commentary pagodas since Tang Dynasty. In addition, it has demonstrated exchanges between China and other countries in terms of Buddhism. Thus, Shaolin temple is well known as ancient pagoda art museum which provides object references for comprehensive researches on development of ancient Chinese architecture, sculpture and religion.