Yingzao Fashi
The Main or Mahavira Hall (, "Dàxíongbǎo Diàn") is the northernmost and largest hall, and dates from the 11th century. It measures seven by five bays (40.5 by 25 m) and has three doors at the front of the hall. The hall is built on an elevated three meter high platform that was once the site of both a drum and bell tower that are no longer extant. According to the standards in the 11th-century Chinese architectural treatise "Yingzao Fashi", the hall is held up by fifth rank bracket sets (鋪作) in a system of eight ranks. The interior contains four large Buddha statues representing the four cardinal directions, and a central statue representing Sakyamuni. The statues are similar, and represent the Buddha displaying different mudras (symbolic hand gestures). Above the Sakyamuni statue, is a caisson (), an octagonal wooden ceiling that is painted and decorated.