Abstract:
Through sorting out the existing Suzhou chorography, collected works, inscriptions and other documents, this paper sorts out the records related to Bao’en Temple’s Pagoda in Suzhou, and sorts them by time. By understanding the lives of the people mentioned in the documents and cross-comparing the collected documents, the paper identifies the correct information and clarifies the building history of Bao’en Temple’s Pagoda. According to the research, the Bao’en Temple’s Pagoda was built three times in the history, the existing pagoda was built in the Nansong dynasty and has been preserved since then. Due to its high size, the pagoda in the city would be easily damaged by thunder and wars. According to the preserved documents, the three rounds of the construction of the Bao’en Temple’s Pagoda were led by monks. Since Ming dynasty, most of the building activities of the pagoda were initiated by local officials and gentry, and then raised money and presided over by monks, with the participation of believers.