大(da)殿面(mian)闊、進深各3間,平(ping)面(mian)近方形(xing),單檐歇山(shan)灰(hui)色筒板瓦(wa)頂。檐柱(zhu)12根,其中3根抹棱方柱(zhu)當是始建時遺物(wu)。殿前(qian)有(you)(you)寬敞的(de)月(yue)臺,殿內(nei)無柱(zhu)。殿內(nei)有(you)(you)泥(ni)塑(su)佛(fo)像17尊,安置(zhi)在凹形(xing)的(de)磚(zhuan)砌佛(fo)壇(tan)上,佛(fo)壇(tan)上后部(bu)正(zheng)中為釋迦牟尼塑(su)像,莊嚴肅穆,總高近4米,基本保存(cun)了原(yuan)有(you)(you)風貌(mao),是現存(cun)唐代(dai)塑(su)像的(de)杰出作品。1961年定為全國重點文物(wu)保護單位。
山西(xi)五臺山南禪(chan)寺(si)大(da)殿(dian)(dian),解(jie)放后在東冶鎮李家莊被發現。寺(si)院(yuan)坐(zuo)北向南,有山門、龍王殿(dian)(dian)、菩薩殿(dian)(dian)和(he)大(da)佛殿(dian)(dian)等主(zhu)要建筑,圍成一個四合院(yuan)形式。除大(da)佛殿(dian)(dian)是唐代(dai)原物外(wai),其余幾座殿(dian)(dian)宇都是明、清時所建。
寺(si)(si)的創建年(nian)代(dai)不詳(xiang),重建于唐(tang)(tang)德宗(zong)建中三年(nian) (782)。是(shi)所知存留到今(jin),早的較(jiao)為(wei)完整的木構遺物(wu)。寺(si)(si)內大(da)殿(dian)(dian)西縫(feng)平梁下,保存有唐(tang)(tang)人墨書(shu)字:“因舊名旹(shi)(時)大(da)唐(tang)(tang)建中三年(nian)歲(sui)次壬(ren)戌月居戊申(shen)丙寅朔庚(geng)午(wu)日(ri)癸未時重修殿(dian)(dian)法(fa)顯等謹志”,是(shi)寺(si)(si)宇(yu)殿(dian)(dian)堂重建年(nian)代(dai)之證,較(jiao)佛(fo)(fo)光寺(si)(si)東大(da)殿(dian)(dian)早75年(nian)。殿(dian)(dian)內佛(fo)(fo)像(xiang)與殿(dian)(dian)宇(yu)同(tong)時建造,是(shi)中國除敦煌外稀有的中唐(tang)(tang)彩塑(su)。唐(tang)(tang)武宗(zong)會昌五年(nian) (845)滅法(fa),中國佛(fo)(fo)寺(si)(si)大(da)都毀壞,而南禪寺(si)(si)由于規模(mo)較(jiao)小(xiao),處(chu)地偏僻,且(qie)州府(fu)縣志和佛(fo)(fo)教(jiao)經籍上均(jun)無記載,幸免于難,留存至今(jin)。后經宋、元、明、清各代(dai),雖曾有過一些維修和裝繪,兩廂配殿(dian)(dian)和山門均(jun)經重葺,但唐(tang)(tang)式大(da)殿(dian)(dian)的規制結構和殿(dian)(dian)內唐(tang)(tang)代(dai)塑(su)像(xiang)的體貌都依舊保存了(le)下來(lai)。
南禪寺大(da)佛(fo)殿(dian)(dian)較小,殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)沒有(you)柱(zhu)子(zi)(zi)。在殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)中心(xin)稍(shao)后(hou),有(you)高(gao)0.7米的(de)“凹”字形佛(fo)壇(tan)(tan),沿壇(tan)(tan)可以(yi)通行,壇(tan)(tan)上(shang)(shang)有(you)佛(fo)教造(zao)像(xiang)17尊(zun),都是唐代原塑,有(you)很高(gao)的(de)藝術價(jia)值(zhi)。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)單(dan)檐(yan)(yan)歇山(shan)頂,平面(mian)正方(fang)形,面(mian)闊進(jin)深各(ge)三(san)間(jian),通面(mian)闊 11.75米,進(jin)深10米。殿(dian)(dian)前(qian)月(yue)臺寬(kuan)敞(chang)。前(qian)檐(yan)(yan)明間(jian)辟板門,兩(liang)(liang)(liang)次間(jian)為破子(zi)(zi)欞窗。殿(dian)(dian)四(si)(si)周施(shi)(shi)檐(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)12根,西山(shan)施(shi)(shi)抹(mo)楞方(fang)柱(zhu) 3根,皆(jie)(jie)為創(chuang)建時的(de)原物(wu),余皆(jie)(jie)圓柱(zhu),柱(zhu)底自(zi)然料石作(zuo)(zuo)柱(zhu)礎。各(ge)柱(zhu)微向(xiang)內(nei)傾,角柱(zhu)增(zeng)高(gao),側腳(jiao)、生起顯(xian)著。柱(zhu)間(jian)用(yong)闌(lan)額聯系(xi)(xi),無(wu)(wu)普柏(bo)枋,轉(zhuan)(zhuan)(zhuan)角處(chu)闌(lan)額不出(chu)頭(tou)(tou),唐代特征顯(xian)著。殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)無(wu)(wu)柱(zhu),無(wu)(wu)天花板徹上(shang)(shang)露明造(zao)。通長的(de)兩(liang)(liang)(liang)根四(si)(si)椽(chuan)栿(fa)橫架(jia)于(yu)前(qian)后(hou)檐(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)(shang),栿(fa)上(shang)(shang)施(shi)(shi)繳(jiao)背(bei),通達前(qian)后(hou)檐(yan)(yan)外(wai),再上(shang)(shang)為駝峰、大(da)斗(dou)、捧(peng)節令(ling)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)、承(cheng)平梁(liang)(liang)和(he)平榑(fu)(fu)(fu)。平梁(liang)(liang)兩(liang)(liang)(liang)端(duan)施(shi)(shi)托腳(jiao),其上(shang)(shang)用(yong)大(da)叉手承(cheng)托脊榑(fu)(fu)(fu),無(wu)(wu)駝峰與侏儒柱(zhu)。這(zhe)種(zhong)構(gou)造(zao)是漢(han)唐期間(jian)的(de)古制,五(wu)代以(yi)后(hou)已不復(fu)見(jian)。梁(liang)(liang)架(jia)兩(liang)(liang)(liang)山(shan)用(yong)丁栿(fa),轉(zhuan)(zhuan)(zhuan)角處(chu)僅設搭牽一(yi)道,承(cheng)椽(chuan)枋與平榑(fu)(fu)(fu)相交之(zhi)(zhi)點,用(yong)直斗(dou)承(cheng)托。梁(liang)(liang)栿(fa)形制皆(jie)(jie)為月(yue)梁(liang)(liang)式。檐(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)上(shang)(shang)施(shi)(shi)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)承(cheng)托屋(wu)檐(yan)(yan),無(wu)(wu)補間(jian)鋪(pu)作(zuo)(zuo),古制猶存(cun)。柱(zhu)頭(tou)(tou)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)五(wu)鋪(pu)作(zuo)(zuo),雙抄單(dan)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)偷心(xin)造(zao),前(qian)后(hou)檐(yan)(yan)華栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)兩(liang)(liang)(liang)跳皆(jie)(jie)足材。第二跳華栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)系(xi)(xi)四(si)(si)椽(chuan)栿(fa)伸至檐(yan)(yan)外(wai)制成,繳(jiao)背(bei)伸出(chu)檐(yan)(yan)下砍成耍頭(tou)(tou),與令(ling)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)搭交承(cheng)替木(mu)和(he)撩檐(yan)(yan)榑(fu)(fu)(fu)。兩(liang)(liang)(liang)山(shan)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)上(shang)(shang)的(de)耍頭(tou)(tou),是丁栿(fa)外(wai)端(duan)。轉(zhuan)(zhuan)(zhuan)角處(chu)施(shi)(shi)45度(du)斜(xie)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),令(ling)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)制成鴛鴉交首栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)。柱(zhu)頭(tou)(tou)泥(ni)道栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)(shang),疊(die)架(jia)柱(zhu)頭(tou)(tou)枋兩(liang)(liang)(liang)層(ceng),下層(ceng)隱刻慢栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),上(shang)(shang)層(ceng)置駝峰,皿板、散(san)斗(dou)承(cheng)壓槽(cao)枋。各(ge)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)卷殺(sha)皆(jie)(jie)分(fen)五(wu)瓣,每瓣微向(xiang)內(nei)傾,這(zhe)種(zhong)作(zuo)(zuo)法曾見(jian)于(yu)齊隋間(jian)石窟窟檐(yan)(yan)和(he)墓葬(zang)雕刻斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)之(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)(shang),建筑實(shi)物(wu)中此(ci)為僅見(jian)之(zhi)(zhi)例。
殿頂舉折平緩,總(zong)舉高為前后撩檐榑之(zhi)間的1/5.15,即19.4%。檐出部分(fen)僅施檐椽一層,不加飛椽。翼(yi)角處大角梁通(tong)達內外(wai),無子角梁,平直古樸。
殿(dian)內佛壇(tan)寬大,約占室內面(mian)(mian)積(ji)的二分(fen)之一。壇(tan)上彩(cai)塑17尊(zun),皆為(wei)(wei)唐物。主像釋(shi)迦佛,體形高大,結跏(jia)趺坐于束(shu)腰(yao)須(xu)彌座上。兩側有(you)文殊、普(pu)賢(xian)各騎(qi)獅(shi)像。主像兩側為(wei)(wei)阿(a)難(nan)、迦葉二弟(di)子(zi)和(he)二脅侍菩薩。文殊、普(pu)賢(xian)前(qian)(qian)隅(yu)有(you)獠蠻、拂菻(lin)牽引(yin)獅(shi)象和(he)二童子(zi)仰望,再前(qian)(qian)為(wei)(wei)二侍立菩薩和(he)二天王(wang)。釋(shi)迦前(qian)(qian)面(mian)(mian)有(you)二供養(yang)菩薩置蓮(lian)臺上。各像比(bi)例適度,面(mian)(mian)形豐滿,衣(yi)飾華麗,神態自如,體形較六朝柔和(he)。與敦煌唐塑相較,如出一轍(che),是中國現存寺觀彩(cai)塑中的珍品。
此外(wai),南禪寺還保(bao)存(cun)有角石2塊,石獅(shi)3軀,小石塔1座,雕工精練。
南(nan)禪寺年久失修(xiu),大殿木構件(jian)有所風化,地震沖(chong)擊后梁架向(xiang)東(dong)歪(wai)閃,檐柱向(xiang)前傾斜,部分構件(jian)脫榫劈裂,四椽受(shou)壓彎垂(chui)10余厘米。經過(guo)實地發掘、測(ce)繪設計,制成修(xiu)復(fu)方案,1974~1975年落架修(xiu)繕。
南(nan)禪寺大(da)(da)殿(dian)雖(sui)然很小(xiao),但人(ren)們仍(reng)可以從(cong)中(zhong)感受到大(da)(da)唐建(jian)筑(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)藝術性格。舒(shu)緩的(de)(de)(de)屋頂,雄大(da)(da)疏朗(lang)的(de)(de)(de)斗拱,簡(jian)潔明朗(lang)的(de)(de)(de)構圖,體(ti)現出一種雍(yong)容大(da)(da)度(du),氣(qi)度(du)不凡,健康而爽朗(lang)的(de)(de)(de)格調;同時,還可以從(cong)南(nan)禪寺的(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)殿(dian)看到中(zhong)唐時期木(mu)(mu)結(jie)構梁(liang)架已經有用(yong)“材”(栱高(gao))作為木(mu)(mu)構用(yong)料標(biao)準的(de)(de)(de)現象(xiang),說明我國(guo)唐代建(jian)筑(zhu)技(ji)術已有很高(gao)水平。中(zhong)國(guo)古代建(jian)筑(zhu)受等(deng)級(ji)約束,南(nan)禪寺是村(cun)落中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)小(xiao)佛(fo)寺,是非(fei)正(zheng)式(shi)的(de)(de)(de)村(cun)佛(fo)堂,故至多與貴邸的(de)(de)(de)廳(ting)堂近似,使用(yong)廳(ting)堂型(xing)構架,造低一個(ge)等(deng)級(ji)的(de)(de)(de)歇山(shan)屋頂。晚唐時期的(de)(de)(de)武宗“會(hui)昌(chang)滅法(fa)”,使得大(da)(da)多數佛(fo)寺遭受到破壞(huai)。南(nan)禪寺由于地(di)處偏僻(pi)而幸免(mian)毀(hui)壞(huai),這也(ye)從(cong)另外(wai)一個(ge)角度(du)說明當(dang)時的(de)(de)(de)建(jian)造技(ji)術已經相(xiang)當(dang)的(de)(de)(de)普及了。