據(ju)康(kang)熙《隰(xi)州志(zhi)》二十(shi)(shi)四(si)卷李呈祥撰寫的(de)《千佛(fo)(fo)庵(an)(an)碑記(ji)(ji)》小西天工(gong)程“始(shi)自己巳(si)(si)年(nian),遞自甲申”,另據(ju)清光緒《山(shan)(shan)西通志(zhi)》中“千佛(fo)(fo)庵(an)(an),以(yi)崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)己巳(si)(si)年(nian)釋道(dao)亮(liang)所(suo)建(jian)”, 己巳(si)(si)年(nian)為(wei)1629年(nian)(明崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)二年(nian))。據(ju)《千佛(fo)(fo)庵(an)(an)碑記(ji)(ji)》記(ji)(ji)述,在(zai)明代萬歷(li)年(nian)間(jian),五臺山(shan)(shan)火場寺(si)僧(seng)東明,游至(zhi)隰(xi)縣(xian),見(jian)縣(xian)城西北的(de)土山(shan)(shan)形(xing)似鳳(feng)凰,山(shan)(shan)上樹木茂密,環境幽(you)靜(jing),適宜建(jian)造寺(si)廟(miao),于(yu)是產(chan)生了在(zai)此山(shan)(shan)修建(jian)千佛(fo)(fo)庵(an)(an)的(de)強烈(lie)愿(yuan)望,期盼未來寺(si)院佛(fo)(fo)像之盛。此后,東明禪(chan)師四(si)處化緣,募集資金,于(yu)崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)初年(nian)正(zheng)式動工(gong)興建(jian),前后歷(li)時15年(nian),于(yu)明崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)十(shi)(shi)七年(nian)主建(jian)筑大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)及兩側的(de)文殊、普(pu)賢兩殿(dian)(dian)、韋馱殿(dian)(dian)、鐘樓(lou)二樓(lou)、東西廊房(fang)、憑欄護壁及山(shan)(shan)下(xia)的(de)趨善橋(qiao)等(deng)初步建(jian)成,形(xing)成了以(yi)大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)、無量殿(dian)(dian)為(wei)中心的(de)建(jian)筑群。據(ju)《千佛(fo)(fo)庵(an)(an)碑記(ji)(ji)》謂: “燕(yan)僧(seng)道(dao)亮(liang)住錫此山(shan)(shan),更名鳳(feng)凰,取其似也。乃漸鏟險(xian)就夷,……始(shi)自己已,遞至(zhi)甲申,”己巳(si)(si)為(wei)1629年(nian),甲申為(wei)1644年(nian)。另有大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)明間(jian)脊檁(lin)下(xia)方題記(ji)(ji)板上現有: “時崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)十(shi)(shi)七歲(sui)次七月壬(ren)申貳拾七日壬(ren)子(zi)午時上梁大(da)吉(ji),奉直(zhi)大(da)夫庚辰特用(yong)欽(qin)授隰(xi)州知州浙西戈用(yong)忠,將仕吏目郭(guo)從善”墨(mo)書題記(ji)(ji)。
千(qian)佛(fo)庵(an)(an)籌(chou)建于明(ming)萬歷(li)四十(shi)年(nian)(nian)前后至(zhi)明(ming)祟禎(zhen)二年(nian)(nian)之間,歷(li)時(shi)15年(nian)(nian)有余。千(qian)佛(fo)庵(an)(an)初期(qi)建設工程自(zi)崇(chong)禎(zhen)二年(nian)(nian)至(zhi)十(shi)七(qi)年(nian)(nian),歷(li)時(shi)15年(nian)(nian)。庵(an)(an)內上(shang)院大(da)雄寶殿(dian)創建于崇(chong)禎(zhen)十(shi)六至(zhi)十(shi)七(qi)年(nian)(nian),殿(dian)內滿堂(tang)彩塑自(zi)清(qing)順治八年(nian)(nian)至(zhi)十(shi)三年(nian)(nian)止,歷(li)時(shi)約5年(nian)(nian)時(shi)間塑繪而成(cheng)。大(da)雄寶殿(dian)從莫(mo)基開(kai)工到彩塑塑成(cheng)全(quan)部竣(jun)工,歷(li)時(shi)約14年(nian)(nian),其間停工約7到8年(nian)(nian)。
這座寺院,分上下兩院,以布局新穎,精(jing)巧玲瓏,格(ge)調別致而著稱。三面(mian)環山(shan),庵(an)前臨(lin)河,古木(mu)參(can)天(tian)(tian),清流(liu)涓(juan)涓(juan),鳳凰山(shan)土崖(ya)如削,小西(xi)(xi)天(tian)(tian)聳立山(shan)頂。越紫川(chuan)田園,過昕水河橋,經“天(tian)(tian)池”之岸(an),跨“通(tong)天(tian)(tian)仙(xian)橋”,踏 240余(yu)級(ji)石(shi)階,穿10米(mi)“洞天(tian)(tian)”,便“道入西(xi)(xi)天(tian)(tian)”天(tian)(tian)門(men),來到所謂西(xi)(xi)方圣境(jing)了。
下(xia)院是(shi)寺廟的(de)主體。院內(nei)的(de)無量(liang)殿面東而筑,內(nei)設數十尊銅鑄佛像和木雕(diao)樓(lou)閣(ge),是(shi)僧(seng)人(ren)誦經的(de)禪堂。無量(liang)殿對面是(shi)韋(wei)陀殿,韋(wei)陀像是(shi)一整塊楠木所雕(diao),威武逼真,工藝精湛。由(you)韋(wei)陀殿背后(hou)兩側進“疑無路”上(shang)“別(bie)有天”便可到孤桐峰。該峰兩角分建(jian)鐘、鼓二樓(lou),峰頂有摩云閣(ge),內(nei)祀(si)觀音菩薩,外祀(si)奎(kui)光文星(xing)。登閣(ge)遠眺,田園如(ru)畫,令(ling)人(ren)神往。下(xia)院北房珍(zhen)藏一部明版善本藏經,共7000余卷,保存完(wan)好(hao)。
上(shang)(shang)院,是(shi)全寺(si)的(de)(de)(de)精華,正面(mian)(mian)是(shi)大雄寶(bao)殿(dian),文殊(shu)、普(pu)賢兩殿(dian)左右相峙(zhi)。大殿(dian)內正面(mian)(mian)排列著五(wu)個相互連通的(de)(de)(de)佛(fo)(fo)龕,“藥(yao)師”、“彌(mi)陀”、“釋迦”、“毗盧(lu)”和“彌(mi)勒”等(deng)諸佛(fo)(fo)端坐蓮臺,各飾錦衣,神態自若,面(mian)(mian)容(rong)慈(ci)祥(xiang);十(shi)大弟子分(fen)站(zhan)兩旁(pang),造型優(you)美,生動傳(chuan)神,表情含蓄,惟妙惟肖。殿(dian)南山墻上(shang)(shang)塑(su)(su)著“四方三(san)圣(sheng)”、“四大天王”等(deng)佛(fo)(fo)教人(ren)(ren)物(wu)故事(shi),殿(dian)北山墻上(shang)(shang)塑(su)(su)著須彌(mi)山上(shang)(shang)三(san)十(shi)三(san)層(ceng)“仞利天”、佛(fo)(fo)傳(chuan)故事(shi)和釋迦牟尼的(de)(de)(de)本(ben)生傳(chuan)說。大梁上(shang)(shang),八大金(jin)剛威武雄壯,粱間墻壁懸(xuan)塑(su)(su)著富麗堂皇(huang)的(de)(de)(de)“極樂(le)世界”;眾多(duo)的(de)(de)(de)人(ren)(ren)面(mian)(mian)飛天、神鳥、孔雀(que)、鸚鵡、仙鶴,游弋在飄渺的(de)(de)(de)云(yun)(yun)頭上(shang)(shang),十(shi)二樂(le)伎菩薩(sa),身姿輕盈,溫柔高潔,往來自如地表演著“天界”歌(ge)舞。整個殿(dian)內,天宮樓閣,層(ceng)層(ceng)迭迭,云(yun)(yun)霧繚繞,粉(fen)彩妝鑾(luan),呈現出一派(pai)仙宮佛(fo)(fo)國的(de)(de)(de)迷人(ren)(ren)景象。這組明代(dai)懸(xuan)塑(su)(su)藝術的(de)(de)(de)珍品,是(shi)研究泥塑(su)(su)藝術的(de)(de)(de)寶(bao)貴(gui)實(shi)物(wu)資(zi)料。許多(duo)游人(ren)(ren)慕名而來,蒞臨“西天”,流(liu)連忘返(fan)。
名山(shan)(shan)大(da)(da)寺(si)多(duo)(duo)以(yi)高大(da)(da)宏偉取(qu)勝(sheng),惟小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)西天(tian)(tian)別(bie)具一(yi)格(ge)(ge),以(yi)小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)巧玲瓏(long)獨秀(xiu)。全(quan)寺(si)建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)面積雖只有(you)(you)1100多(duo)(duo)平方米,卻在極其有(you)(you)限的(de)空間(jian)內,建(jian)有(you)(you)大(da)(da)雄寶殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、文殊殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、普賢殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、無(wu)梁殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、天(tian)(tian)王殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、韋馱殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、地(di)藏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、鐘樓(lou)、鼓樓(lou)等許多(duo)(duo)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)舍(she),渾然一(yi)體(ti),并洞為門,把上(shang)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)、中(zhong)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)、前院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)分割(ge)開來(lai)(lai)。實際上(shang)寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)三分之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)二殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)堂(tang)均為雙層(ceng)(ceng)建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)結構,層(ceng)(ceng)層(ceng)(ceng)疊(die)(die)疊(die)(die)、曲曲折(zhe)折(zhe),曲徑通(tong)幽,既有(you)(you)一(yi)般寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)格(ge)(ge)局(ju),又有(you)(you)園林建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)妙趣小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)西天(tian)(tian)的(de)建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)風格(ge)(ge)及特點,可以(yi)用“小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)、巧、精、奇(qi)”四個字(zi)來(lai)(lai)概括。“茲山(shan)(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)高,不過數百步耳,茲山(shan)(shan)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)大(da)(da),止設(she)數十塌耳”。這里的(de)景象一(yi)切(qie)都在小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)中(zhong)發生(sheng),一(yi)切(qie)都在小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)中(zhong)體(ti)現,足見(jian)她(ta)“小(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)(xiao)”得不俗。而“因(yin)地(di)布景,種種清(qing)秀(xiu)”,雕(diao)塑(su)傳神(shen),呼(hu)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)欲出,妙在布局(ju)的(de)變化,足見(jian)她(ta)“巧”得靈活。寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)布置得體(ti)。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)堂(tang)構造縝密,精雕(diao)細(xi)刻,出神(shen)入化,足見(jian)她(ta)“精”得細(xi)微。“左仰古寨,千(qian)仞絕壁(bi),右帶西坡(po),峰巒疊(die)(die)翠(cui)”。再加上(shang)舉世(shi)罕(han)見(jian)的(de)懸塑(su),足見(jian)她(ta)“奇(qi)”得拔萃。如此精巧別(bie)致的(de)格(ge)(ge)局(ju)和清(qing)幽雅潔的(de)景象,在建(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)史上(shang)真可謂別(bie)具一(yi)格(ge)(ge),獨具特色。
上寺的(de)(de)大雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)保存無(wu)缺的(de)(de)懸(xuan)塑藝(yi)(yi)(yi)術(shu)。全堂(tang)彩塑是我國迄今保存下來(lai)的(de)(de)為(wei)(wei)數不多的(de)(de)彩色藝(yi)(yi)(yi)術(shu)群塑,具有不可估量的(de)(de)歷史和藝(yi)(yi)(yi)術(shu)價值。1987年(nian)全國政協(xie)副(fu)主席、中國佛(fo)教協(xie)會會長(chang)趙樸初居(ju)士看了(le)小(xiao)西天的(de)(de)懸(xuan)塑照(zhao)片后(hou),曾揮毫為(wei)(wei)大雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)書(shu)聯(lian):“東(dong)土西方(fang)微塵不隔,人間天上萬象莊(zhuang)嚴”。胡耀邦總(zong)書(shu)記在參觀大雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)時,連(lian)連(lian)稱贊“好(hao)、好(hao)”,并對(dui)如何保護(hu)這座(zuo)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)術(shu)寶(bao)殿(dian)作(zuo)了(le)重(zhong)要指示。2002年(nian)5月25日毛主席之女李娜,看了(le)大雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)之后(hou),出(chu)來(lai)拍完照(zhao)片,重(zhong)又返回殿(dian)堂(tang),對(dui)大雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)的(de)(de)懸(xuan)塑流連(lian)忘返。
大(da)雄寶殿(dian)殿(dian)內懸塑(su)大(da)多繪(hui)塑(su)于(yu)明(ming)(ming)崇禎十七(qi)年(nian)(1644)到清順治十三年(nian)(1656年(nian))之(zhi)(zhi)間,殿(dian)內之(zhi)(zhi)懸塑(su)流光溢彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai),璀璨奪目,精美動(dong)人,完(wan)整如新。建筑面積僅有(you)216.72平方米(mi),殿(dian)堂之(zhi)(zhi)內滿布彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)塑(su),除佛(fo)壇(tan)之(zhi)(zhi)上的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)5尊主像(xiang)外,墻壁、檀柱甚至屋椽(chuan)之(zhi)(zhi)上,皆塑(su)繪(hui)著(zhu)數以千計(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)塑(su)。這些彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)塑(su)姿態(tai)各異(yi)、造型(xing)生動(dong),置(zhi)身于(yu)佛(fo)國的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)殿(dian)堂樓閣(ge)之(zhi)(zhi)中。高(gao)者(zhe)達(da)3米(mi)多,小(xiao)(xiao)者(zhe)僅有(you)拇指(zhi)大(da)小(xiao)(xiao),繁(fan)而不(bu)(bu)雜,靡(mi)而不(bu)(bu)亂,井然有(you)序地表達(da)著(zhu)佛(fo)教的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)千世界。在(zai)國內的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)許多名山古剎(cha)中,雖不(bu)(bu)乏各種類(lei)型(xing)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)懸塑(su),但無一(yi)處如小(xiao)(xiao)西天之(zhi)(zhi)紛繁(fan)華艷,無一(yi)處如小(xiao)(xiao)西天之(zhi)(zhi)精美絕倫。如果說(shuo)(shuo)大(da)雄寶殿(dian)中鬼斧神(shen)工的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)懸塑(su)藝(yi)術令(ling)人驚心動(dong)魄(po)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)話,那么殿(dian)內梁(liang)架中的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)繪(hui)更是彌足(zu)珍貴,這就是用(yong)瀝粉貼金制作的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)近似于(yu)宮廷的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)龍鳳和璽(xi)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)繪(hui)。這種彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)畫(hua)形式屬(shu)于(yu)明(ming)(ming)清建筑彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)畫(hua)中的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)高(gao)等(deng)(deng)級(ji),是屬(shu)于(yu)皇室專用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)畫(hua)。由于(yu)等(deng)(deng)級(ji)高(gao)、造價昂貴,實物保存下來的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)十分罕見。然而,這種高(gao)等(deng)(deng)級(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)(cai)(cai)(cai)畫(hua)能在(zai)一(yi)個窮鄉僻壤的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)小(xiao)(xiao)寺院中出現,不(bu)(bu)能不(bu)(bu)說(shuo)(shuo)是一(yi)個奇(qi)跡。