據康熙《隰州志》二(er)十(shi)四(si)卷李呈祥撰寫的《千(qian)佛庵(an)碑(bei)(bei)記(ji)(ji)》小西(xi)天工程“始自(zi)己(ji)巳(si)(si)年(nian),遞自(zi)甲申(shen)”,另據清光緒《山(shan)(shan)(shan)西(xi)通志》中“千(qian)佛庵(an),以崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)(zhen)己(ji)巳(si)(si)年(nian)釋(shi)道亮(liang)所建(jian)(jian)”, 己(ji)巳(si)(si)年(nian)為(wei)1629年(nian)(明(ming)崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)(zhen)二(er)年(nian))。據《千(qian)佛庵(an)碑(bei)(bei)記(ji)(ji)》記(ji)(ji)述(shu),在明(ming)代萬歷(li)年(nian)間(jian),五臺山(shan)(shan)(shan)火場寺僧東明(ming),游至隰縣,見縣城(cheng)西(xi)北的土(tu)山(shan)(shan)(shan)形似鳳(feng)凰,山(shan)(shan)(shan)上樹木茂密,環境幽靜,適(shi)宜建(jian)(jian)造寺廟(miao),于是產(chan)生了(le)在此山(shan)(shan)(shan)修建(jian)(jian)千(qian)佛庵(an)的強烈愿望(wang),期盼未來寺院佛像之盛。此后,東明(ming)禪師(shi)四(si)處(chu)化緣,募集資金,于崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)(zhen)初年(nian)正式動工興建(jian)(jian),前后歷(li)時(shi)(shi)15年(nian),于明(ming)崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)七(qi)年(nian)主建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)及兩側(ce)的文殊、普(pu)賢兩殿(dian)、韋(wei)馱(tuo)殿(dian)、鐘樓(lou)二(er)樓(lou)、東西(xi)廊房、憑欄護壁及山(shan)(shan)(shan)下的趨(qu)善(shan)橋等初步建(jian)(jian)成,形成了(le)以大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)、無量(liang)殿(dian)為(wei)中心的建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)群。據《千(qian)佛庵(an)碑(bei)(bei)記(ji)(ji)》謂: “燕僧道亮(liang)住錫(xi)此山(shan)(shan)(shan),更名鳳(feng)凰,取其似也。乃漸(jian)鏟險就夷,……始自(zi)己(ji)已,遞至甲申(shen),”己(ji)巳(si)(si)為(wei)1629年(nian),甲申(shen)為(wei)1644年(nian)。另有大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)明(ming)間(jian)脊檁下方題(ti)記(ji)(ji)板上現有: “時(shi)(shi)崇(chong)(chong)禎(zhen)(zhen)(zhen)十(shi)七(qi)歲次(ci)七(qi)月壬申(shen)貳(er)拾七(qi)日壬子(zi)午時(shi)(shi)上梁大(da)吉,奉(feng)直大(da)夫庚辰特用(yong)欽授隰州知州浙(zhe)西(xi)戈用(yong)忠,將仕吏目郭(guo)從(cong)善(shan)”墨書(shu)題(ti)記(ji)(ji)。
千佛庵籌建于明萬歷(li)四十(shi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)前后至明祟禎(zhen)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)之間(jian)(jian),歷(li)時(shi)15年(nian)(nian)(nian)有余。千佛庵初(chu)期建設(she)工(gong)(gong)(gong)程(cheng)自崇禎(zhen)二年(nian)(nian)(nian)至十(shi)七年(nian)(nian)(nian),歷(li)時(shi)15年(nian)(nian)(nian)。庵內上院大(da)雄(xiong)(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)創建于崇禎(zhen)十(shi)六至十(shi)七年(nian)(nian)(nian),殿(dian)內滿堂(tang)彩塑(su)自清(qing)順治八年(nian)(nian)(nian)至十(shi)三年(nian)(nian)(nian)止(zhi),歷(li)時(shi)約(yue)5年(nian)(nian)(nian)時(shi)間(jian)(jian)塑(su)繪而成(cheng)。大(da)雄(xiong)(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)從莫基開工(gong)(gong)(gong)到彩塑(su)塑(su)成(cheng)全部(bu)竣工(gong)(gong)(gong),歷(li)時(shi)約(yue)14年(nian)(nian)(nian),其間(jian)(jian)停工(gong)(gong)(gong)約(yue)7到8年(nian)(nian)(nian)。
這座(zuo)寺院,分上下兩院,以(yi)布(bu)局(ju)新穎,精巧玲(ling)瓏,格調別致而著稱。三(san)面環山,庵前(qian)臨河(he)(he),古木參天(tian),清流涓涓,鳳凰(huang)山土(tu)崖(ya)如削,小西天(tian)聳立山頂。越紫川田園,過昕水河(he)(he)橋(qiao),經“天(tian)池”之岸(an),跨(kua)“通天(tian)仙橋(qiao)”,踏 240余(yu)級石階,穿(chuan)10米“洞天(tian)”,便“道入西天(tian)”天(tian)門,來到所謂西方(fang)圣(sheng)境了。
下(xia)院是(shi)寺(si)廟的(de)(de)主體。院內(nei)(nei)(nei)的(de)(de)無(wu)量殿(dian)(dian)(dian)面(mian)(mian)東而(er)筑,內(nei)(nei)(nei)設數十尊銅鑄佛像和木雕(diao)樓閣(ge),是(shi)僧人(ren)誦經的(de)(de)禪堂。無(wu)量殿(dian)(dian)(dian)對面(mian)(mian)是(shi)韋(wei)陀殿(dian)(dian)(dian),韋(wei)陀像是(shi)一整塊楠木所雕(diao),威武逼(bi)真,工藝精湛。由韋(wei)陀殿(dian)(dian)(dian)背后兩側進“疑無(wu)路”上(shang)“別有天”便(bian)可到孤桐(tong)峰(feng)(feng)。該峰(feng)(feng)兩角(jiao)分建(jian)鐘、鼓(gu)二樓,峰(feng)(feng)頂有摩云閣(ge),內(nei)(nei)(nei)祀觀(guan)音菩(pu)薩(sa),外祀奎(kui)光(guang)文星。登閣(ge)遠眺(tiao),田園如畫,令人(ren)神往(wang)。下(xia)院北房珍藏一部明(ming)版善(shan)本藏經,共7000余卷(juan),保存(cun)完好。
上(shang)院,是(shi)全寺的(de)(de)精華(hua),正(zheng)面是(shi)大(da)雄(xiong)寶殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),文殊、普(pu)賢兩殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)左右相峙。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)內正(zheng)面排列(lie)著五個相互(hu)連(lian)通的(de)(de)佛龕,“藥師(shi)”、“彌(mi)(mi)陀”、“釋迦”、“毗(pi)盧”和(he)“彌(mi)(mi)勒”等諸佛端(duan)坐蓮臺,各飾(shi)錦(jin)衣,神(shen)態(tai)自若,面容慈(ci)祥(xiang);十(shi)大(da)弟子分站兩旁,造型(xing)優(you)美(mei),生動(dong)傳神(shen),表情含蓄,惟妙惟肖。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)南山(shan)墻(qiang)上(shang)塑(su)(su)(su)著“四(si)方三(san)圣(sheng)”、“四(si)大(da)天王”等佛教人(ren)物(wu)故事,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)北(bei)山(shan)墻(qiang)上(shang)塑(su)(su)(su)著須彌(mi)(mi)山(shan)上(shang)三(san)十(shi)三(san)層“仞利天”、佛傳故事和(he)釋迦牟尼(ni)的(de)(de)本生傳說(shuo)。大(da)梁上(shang),八大(da)金剛威(wei)武雄(xiong)壯,粱間墻(qiang)壁懸(xuan)(xuan)塑(su)(su)(su)著富麗堂皇的(de)(de)“極(ji)樂世界(jie)”;眾多的(de)(de)人(ren)面飛天、神(shen)鳥、孔雀、鸚鵡、仙鶴,游弋在飄渺的(de)(de)云頭(tou)上(shang),十(shi)二樂伎(ji)菩薩,身姿輕(qing)盈,溫柔(rou)高(gao)潔,往來(lai)自如地表演著“天界(jie)”歌(ge)舞。整(zheng)個殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)內,天宮樓閣(ge),層層迭(die)迭(die),云霧繚繞(rao),粉彩妝(zhuang)鑾,呈現出一派仙宮佛國的(de)(de)迷人(ren)景(jing)象。這組(zu)明代(dai)懸(xuan)(xuan)塑(su)(su)(su)藝術的(de)(de)珍(zhen)品,是(shi)研究泥塑(su)(su)(su)藝術的(de)(de)寶貴實物(wu)資料。許多游人(ren)慕(mu)名而來(lai),蒞(li)臨“西(xi)天”,流連(lian)忘返。
名山大寺(si)多(duo)以(yi)(yi)高大宏偉(wei)取勝,惟小(xiao)(xiao)西(xi)天(tian)別(bie)具一(yi)格(ge),以(yi)(yi)小(xiao)(xiao)巧(qiao)玲(ling)瓏獨秀(xiu)。全(quan)寺(si)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)面(mian)積(ji)雖只有(you)(you)(you)1100多(duo)平方米,卻在(zai)極其(qi)有(you)(you)(you)限(xian)的(de)空間內(nei),建(jian)(jian)有(you)(you)(you)大雄寶殿(dian)、文殊(shu)殿(dian)、普賢殿(dian)、無梁殿(dian)、天(tian)王殿(dian)、韋馱殿(dian)、地藏殿(dian)、鐘樓、鼓樓等(deng)許多(duo)殿(dian)舍,渾然一(yi)體(ti),并洞為門,把上院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)、中(zhong)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)、前院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)分割開來。實(shi)際上寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)三(san)分之(zhi)(zhi)二殿(dian)堂(tang)均為雙層(ceng)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)結構,層(ceng)層(ceng)疊(die)疊(die)、曲曲折(zhe)折(zhe),曲徑通(tong)幽(you),既有(you)(you)(you)一(yi)般寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)之(zhi)(zhi)格(ge)局(ju),又有(you)(you)(you)園林建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)之(zhi)(zhi)妙趣小(xiao)(xiao)西(xi)天(tian)的(de)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)風格(ge)及特(te)點,可以(yi)(yi)用“小(xiao)(xiao)、巧(qiao)、精、奇(qi)”四個字來概括。“茲山之(zhi)(zhi)高,不過數(shu)百(bai)步耳,茲山之(zhi)(zhi)大,止設數(shu)十塌耳”。這里的(de)景象一(yi)切都(dou)在(zai)小(xiao)(xiao)中(zhong)發生,一(yi)切都(dou)在(zai)小(xiao)(xiao)中(zhong)體(ti)現,足(zu)(zu)(zu)見她(ta)“小(xiao)(xiao)”得(de)不俗。而“因地布景,種(zhong)種(zhong)清秀(xiu)”,雕塑傳神,呼之(zhi)(zhi)欲(yu)出(chu),妙在(zai)布局(ju)的(de)變化(hua),足(zu)(zu)(zu)見她(ta)“巧(qiao)”得(de)靈活。寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)布置得(de)體(ti)。殿(dian)堂(tang)構造縝密,精雕細刻,出(chu)神入化(hua),足(zu)(zu)(zu)見她(ta)“精”得(de)細微(wei)。“左仰(yang)古寨,千仞絕壁(bi),右(you)帶西(xi)坡,峰巒疊(die)翠(cui)”。再加上舉(ju)世罕見的(de)懸塑,足(zu)(zu)(zu)見她(ta)“奇(qi)”得(de)拔萃。如(ru)此(ci)精巧(qiao)別(bie)致的(de)格(ge)局(ju)和清幽(you)雅(ya)潔的(de)景象,在(zai)建(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)史上真可謂(wei)別(bie)具一(yi)格(ge),獨具特(te)色。
上(shang)寺的(de)大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)保存無缺的(de)懸(xuan)塑藝(yi)術。全(quan)堂(tang)彩塑是我國迄今保存下來的(de)為(wei)數不(bu)多的(de)彩色藝(yi)術群塑,具有不(bu)可估量(liang)的(de)歷(li)史和藝(yi)術價值。1987年全(quan)國政協副(fu)主(zhu)席、中(zhong)國佛教協會會長趙樸初居(ju)士看了小(xiao)西(xi)(xi)天的(de)懸(xuan)塑照片(pian)(pian)后,曾(ceng)揮(hui)毫為(wei)大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)書聯:“東(dong)土西(xi)(xi)方微塵不(bu)隔(ge),人間天上(shang)萬象(xiang)莊嚴”。胡耀邦總(zong)書記在參(can)觀大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)時,連連稱贊“好、好”,并對如何保護這座藝(yi)術寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)作(zuo)了重(zhong)要(yao)指示。2002年5月25日(ri)毛主(zhu)席之女李娜,看了大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)之后,出(chu)來拍(pai)完照片(pian)(pian),重(zhong)又(you)返(fan)回殿(dian)(dian)堂(tang),對大(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)(bao)殿(dian)(dian)的(de)懸(xuan)塑流連忘(wang)返(fan)。
大(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)殿(dian)內(nei)懸(xuan)塑(su)(su)大(da)(da)(da)多(duo)繪(hui)(hui)塑(su)(su)于明崇禎十七(qi)年(1644)到清順(shun)治十三年(1656年)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)間,殿(dian)內(nei)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)懸(xuan)塑(su)(su)流光溢彩(cai),璀璨奪目,精(jing)美(mei)動(dong)(dong)人(ren),完整如(ru)新。建筑面積僅(jin)(jin)有216.72平方米,殿(dian)堂之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)內(nei)滿布彩(cai)塑(su)(su),除佛(fo)壇之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)上(shang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)5尊主像(xiang)外,墻壁(bi)、檀柱甚至(zhi)屋椽之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)上(shang),皆塑(su)(su)繪(hui)(hui)著數以千(qian)計的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)塑(su)(su)。這(zhe)些彩(cai)塑(su)(su)姿(zi)態各異(yi)、造型生動(dong)(dong),置身于佛(fo)國的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)殿(dian)堂樓閣之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)。高者(zhe)達(da)3米多(duo),小者(zhe)僅(jin)(jin)有拇指大(da)(da)(da)小,繁而(er)不(bu)(bu)雜,靡(mi)而(er)不(bu)(bu)亂(luan),井然有序(xu)地表(biao)達(da)著佛(fo)教的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)(da)千(qian)世(shi)界。在國內(nei)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)許多(duo)名山古剎中(zhong),雖不(bu)(bu)乏(fa)各種(zhong)(zhong)類型的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)懸(xuan)塑(su)(su),但無一(yi)處如(ru)小西天(tian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)紛繁華艷(yan),無一(yi)處如(ru)小西天(tian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)精(jing)美(mei)絕倫(lun)。如(ru)果說大(da)(da)(da)雄(xiong)寶(bao)殿(dian)中(zhong)鬼斧神工的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)懸(xuan)塑(su)(su)藝術令人(ren)驚心動(dong)(dong)魄的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)話,那么殿(dian)內(nei)梁架(jia)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)繪(hui)(hui)更是(shi)彌(mi)足(zu)珍(zhen)貴,這(zhe)就是(shi)用(yong)瀝粉貼金(jin)制作的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)近似于宮廷的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)龍鳳和璽(xi)彩(cai)繪(hui)(hui)。這(zhe)種(zhong)(zhong)彩(cai)畫形式屬于明清建筑彩(cai)畫中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)高等(deng)級(ji),是(shi)屬于皇室專(zhuan)用(yong)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)畫。由于等(deng)級(ji)高、造價昂貴,實物保存下來的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)十分罕見。然而(er),這(zhe)種(zhong)(zhong)高等(deng)級(ji)的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)彩(cai)畫能(neng)在一(yi)個(ge)窮鄉僻壤的(de)(de)(de)(de)(de)小寺院(yuan)中(zhong)出(chu)現,不(bu)(bu)能(neng)不(bu)(bu)說是(shi)一(yi)個(ge)奇跡。