大殿(dian)面闊、進(jin)深(shen)各3間,平面近方(fang)形,單檐(yan)歇山(shan)灰(hui)色筒板瓦頂。檐(yan)柱12根(gen),其(qi)中(zhong)3根(gen)抹棱(leng)方(fang)柱當是始建時(shi)遺物。殿(dian)前有寬敞的(de)月臺,殿(dian)內(nei)無柱。殿(dian)內(nei)有泥塑(su)佛(fo)像(xiang)17尊,安置在凹形的(de)磚砌(qi)佛(fo)壇上,佛(fo)壇上后部正(zheng)中(zhong)為釋迦牟尼(ni)塑(su)像(xiang),莊嚴肅穆(mu),總高近4米,基本保存(cun)了原有風貌,是現存(cun)唐代塑(su)像(xiang)的(de)杰出(chu)作品(pin)。1961年(nian)定為全國重點(dian)文(wen)物保護單位。
山(shan)西(xi)五臺山(shan)南禪寺(si)大殿(dian),解放后(hou)在東冶鎮李家莊被發現。寺(si)院坐北(bei)向南,有山(shan)門(men)、龍王(wang)殿(dian)、菩薩殿(dian)和(he)大佛殿(dian)等主要建(jian)筑,圍成(cheng)一個(ge)四合院形(xing)式(shi)。除大佛殿(dian)是唐代原物外,其(qi)余(yu)幾座(zuo)殿(dian)宇都是明、清時所建(jian)。
寺(si)的(de)創建年(nian)代(dai)不詳,重(zhong)建于(yu)唐(tang)(tang)德(de)宗(zong)建中(zhong)三(san)(san)年(nian) (782)。是所知存(cun)留到今(jin)(jin),早的(de)較(jiao)為完整的(de)木構遺物。寺(si)內(nei)(nei)大殿(dian)西(xi)縫平梁(liang)下,保(bao)存(cun)有唐(tang)(tang)人墨書字(zi):“因舊(jiu)(jiu)名旹(時)大唐(tang)(tang)建中(zhong)三(san)(san)年(nian)歲次壬戌月居戊申丙寅朔庚午日癸未時重(zhong)修殿(dian)法顯等謹志”,是寺(si)宇殿(dian)堂重(zhong)建年(nian)代(dai)之證(zheng),較(jiao)佛光寺(si)東大殿(dian)早75年(nian)。殿(dian)內(nei)(nei)佛像與(yu)殿(dian)宇同時建造,是中(zhong)國(guo)除敦煌外稀(xi)有的(de)中(zhong)唐(tang)(tang)彩(cai)塑。唐(tang)(tang)武宗(zong)會昌(chang)五年(nian) (845)滅法,中(zhong)國(guo)佛寺(si)大都(dou)毀壞,而(er)南(nan)禪(chan)寺(si)由于(yu)規模較(jiao)小,處地偏(pian)僻,且州府縣志和佛教經籍上均無記(ji)載(zai),幸免于(yu)難,留存(cun)至今(jin)(jin)。后經宋、元、明、清(qing)各代(dai),雖曾(ceng)有過一些維修和裝繪,兩廂配(pei)殿(dian)和山門均經重(zhong)葺,但唐(tang)(tang)式大殿(dian)的(de)規制(zhi)結構和殿(dian)內(nei)(nei)唐(tang)(tang)代(dai)塑像的(de)體貌(mao)都(dou)依舊(jiu)(jiu)保(bao)存(cun)了下來。
南禪寺大(da)佛殿(dian)(dian)(dian)較小,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內沒有柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)子(zi)。在殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內中(zhong)(zhong)心稍后(hou)(hou)(hou),有高(gao)0.7米的(de)“凹”字形(xing)佛壇(tan),沿壇(tan)可以通(tong)行(xing),壇(tan)上有佛教造像17尊(zun),都是(shi)唐(tang)(tang)代原(yuan)塑(su),有很高(gao)的(de)藝術(shu)價值。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)單檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)歇山(shan)頂,平面(mian)(mian)(mian)正方形(xing),面(mian)(mian)(mian)闊(kuo)進(jin)深(shen)各三(san)間(jian)(jian),通(tong)面(mian)(mian)(mian)闊(kuo) 11.75米,進(jin)深(shen)10米。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)前月臺寬敞。前檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)明間(jian)(jian)辟板(ban)門,兩次(ci)間(jian)(jian)為(wei)破子(zi)欞窗(chuang)。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)四(si)周施(shi)檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)12根(gen),西山(shan)施(shi)抹楞方柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu) 3根(gen),皆(jie)為(wei)創建時的(de)原(yuan)物,余皆(jie)圓柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu),柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)底自然料石(shi)作(zuo)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)礎。各柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)微(wei)向內傾(qing),角(jiao)(jiao)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)增(zeng)高(gao),側腳、生(sheng)起顯著。柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)間(jian)(jian)用(yong)(yong)(yong)闌(lan)(lan)額(e)聯系,無普柏枋(fang)(fang),轉(zhuan)角(jiao)(jiao)處闌(lan)(lan)額(e)不出頭(tou),唐(tang)(tang)代特(te)征(zheng)顯著。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)內無柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu),無天花板(ban)徹上露明造。通(tong)長的(de)兩根(gen)四(si)椽(chuan)(chuan)栿(fa)橫架(jia)于前后(hou)(hou)(hou)檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)之上,栿(fa)上施(shi)繳(jiao)背,通(tong)達(da)前后(hou)(hou)(hou)檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)外,再上為(wei)駝(tuo)峰(feng)(feng)、大(da)斗(dou)、捧節令栱(gong)(gong)、承(cheng)平梁(liang)和(he)平榑。平梁(liang)兩端(duan)施(shi)托腳,其上用(yong)(yong)(yong)大(da)叉手承(cheng)托脊榑,無駝(tuo)峰(feng)(feng)與(yu)侏儒柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)。這(zhe)種(zhong)(zhong)構(gou)造是(shi)漢唐(tang)(tang)期間(jian)(jian)的(de)古制(zhi),五代以后(hou)(hou)(hou)已不復(fu)見(jian)。梁(liang)架(jia)兩山(shan)用(yong)(yong)(yong)丁栿(fa),轉(zhuan)角(jiao)(jiao)處僅設搭(da)牽一(yi)道,承(cheng)椽(chuan)(chuan)枋(fang)(fang)與(yu)平榑相交(jiao)之點,用(yong)(yong)(yong)直斗(dou)承(cheng)托。梁(liang)栿(fa)形(xing)制(zhi)皆(jie)為(wei)月梁(liang)式。檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)上施(shi)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)承(cheng)托屋檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan),無補間(jian)(jian)鋪作(zuo),古制(zhi)猶(you)存(cun)。柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)頭(tou)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)五鋪作(zuo),雙(shuang)抄單栱(gong)(gong)偷(tou)心造,前后(hou)(hou)(hou)檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)華(hua)栱(gong)(gong)兩跳皆(jie)足材。第二跳華(hua)栱(gong)(gong)系四(si)椽(chuan)(chuan)栿(fa)伸至檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)外制(zhi)成,繳(jiao)背伸出檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)下砍(kan)成耍頭(tou),與(yu)令栱(gong)(gong)搭(da)交(jiao)承(cheng)替(ti)木(mu)和(he)撩檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)榑。兩山(shan)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)上的(de)耍頭(tou),是(shi)丁栿(fa)外端(duan)。轉(zhuan)角(jiao)(jiao)處施(shi)45度斜栱(gong)(gong),令栱(gong)(gong)制(zhi)成鴛鴉交(jiao)首(shou)栱(gong)(gong)。柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)頭(tou)泥(ni)道栱(gong)(gong)之上,疊架(jia)柱(zhu)(zhu)(zhu)頭(tou)枋(fang)(fang)兩層(ceng)(ceng),下層(ceng)(ceng)隱刻(ke)(ke)慢栱(gong)(gong),上層(ceng)(ceng)置(zhi)駝(tuo)峰(feng)(feng),皿(min)板(ban)、散斗(dou)承(cheng)壓(ya)槽枋(fang)(fang)。各栱(gong)(gong)卷(juan)殺皆(jie)分(fen)五瓣(ban),每瓣(ban)微(wei)向內傾(qing),這(zhe)種(zhong)(zhong)作(zuo)法曾見(jian)于齊隋間(jian)(jian)石(shi)窟窟檐(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)和(he)墓葬雕刻(ke)(ke)斗(dou)栱(gong)(gong)之上,建筑實物中(zhong)(zhong)此(ci)為(wei)僅見(jian)之例。
殿頂舉(ju)折平緩,總(zong)舉(ju)高(gao)為(wei)前后撩檐榑之間的1/5.15,即19.4%。檐出(chu)部分僅施(shi)檐椽(chuan)一層,不加(jia)飛椽(chuan)。翼角處大角梁通達內外,無子(zi)角梁,平直(zhi)古樸。
殿內佛(fo)壇寬(kuan)大,約占室(shi)內面積(ji)的二(er)分之一。壇上彩(cai)塑17尊,皆為(wei)唐物。主像(xiang)釋迦(jia)(jia)佛(fo),體形高大,結跏(jia)趺坐于束腰須彌座上。兩(liang)側有(you)(you)文殊、普(pu)賢各騎(qi)獅像(xiang)。主像(xiang)兩(liang)側為(wei)阿(a)難、迦(jia)(jia)葉二(er)弟子和二(er)脅(xie)侍菩(pu)薩(sa)。文殊、普(pu)賢前隅有(you)(you)獠蠻(man)、拂菻牽引獅象和二(er)童子仰望,再前為(wei)二(er)侍立菩(pu)薩(sa)和二(er)天王。釋迦(jia)(jia)前面有(you)(you)二(er)供養菩(pu)薩(sa)置蓮臺上。各像(xiang)比例適度(du),面形豐(feng)滿(man),衣(yi)飾華(hua)麗(li),神(shen)態自如(ru),體形較(jiao)(jiao)六朝柔和。與敦煌唐塑相較(jiao)(jiao),如(ru)出一轍,是中(zhong)國現存(cun)寺觀(guan)彩(cai)塑中(zhong)的珍品。
此(ci)外,南禪(chan)寺還保存(cun)有(you)角石(shi)2塊,石(shi)獅3軀,小石(shi)塔1座,雕工(gong)精練。
南禪寺年久失修(xiu),大(da)殿(dian)木構(gou)件有(you)所(suo)風(feng)化,地(di)震沖擊后梁架向東歪閃,檐(yan)柱(zhu)向前(qian)傾(qing)斜,部分構(gou)件脫榫劈裂,四椽受壓(ya)彎(wan)垂10余厘米。經過實(shi)地(di)發掘、測(ce)繪設計,制成修(xiu)復方案,1974~1975年落架修(xiu)繕。
南(nan)(nan)禪(chan)寺(si)(si)大(da)(da)殿雖然很(hen)小,但人們仍可以(yi)從中(zhong)(zhong)感受(shou)到(dao)大(da)(da)唐(tang)建(jian)筑(zhu)的(de)(de)(de)(de)藝術性格(ge)(ge)。舒(shu)緩的(de)(de)(de)(de)屋(wu)頂,雄(xiong)大(da)(da)疏(shu)朗的(de)(de)(de)(de)斗拱,簡潔明朗的(de)(de)(de)(de)構(gou)圖,體現(xian)出(chu)一種雍容大(da)(da)度,氣(qi)度不凡,健康而爽朗的(de)(de)(de)(de)格(ge)(ge)調;同(tong)時(shi),還可以(yi)從南(nan)(nan)禪(chan)寺(si)(si)的(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)殿看(kan)到(dao)中(zhong)(zhong)唐(tang)時(shi)期(qi)木結構(gou)梁架已(yi)經(jing)有用“材”(栱高)作為木構(gou)用料(liao)標準的(de)(de)(de)(de)現(xian)象,說明我國(guo)唐(tang)代建(jian)筑(zhu)技(ji)術已(yi)有很(hen)高水平。中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)古(gu)代建(jian)筑(zhu)受(shou)等級(ji)(ji)約束,南(nan)(nan)禪(chan)寺(si)(si)是村(cun)落中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)小佛寺(si)(si),是非正式的(de)(de)(de)(de)村(cun)佛堂,故至多與(yu)貴邸的(de)(de)(de)(de)廳(ting)堂近(jin)似,使用廳(ting)堂型構(gou)架,造(zao)低一個等級(ji)(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)歇山屋(wu)頂。晚唐(tang)時(shi)期(qi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)武宗(zong)“會昌滅(mie)法”,使得大(da)(da)多數佛寺(si)(si)遭(zao)受(shou)到(dao)破(po)壞。南(nan)(nan)禪(chan)寺(si)(si)由于地處偏(pian)僻而幸免毀壞,這也從另外(wai)一個角度說明當時(shi)的(de)(de)(de)(de)建(jian)造(zao)技(ji)術已(yi)經(jing)相當的(de)(de)(de)(de)普(pu)及了。