This article is theoretically based on the concept of the religious landscape of the Far Eastern borderland. Buddhist religious architecture, temple design, symbolism, the appearance of monks and believers, and religious activity collectively form a significant part of the religious landscape in the border area, marking the spiritual boundaries between Russia and China. Jinfasi Temple attracts tourists who perceive it as part of Chinese culture, but they do not recognize it as “their” culture. For Chinese adherents of the religion, Jinfasi is a visible manifestation of their religious and mythical worldview. This is reflected in their understanding of the sacred reasons for building the temple, the organization of temple space, sculptural composition, feng shui geomancy and more. The author’s empirical base for this article was collected during scientific expeditions in July and October 2025. Primary research methods include observation, visual iconographic analysis, and comparative analysis. The sources of information include symbolism, sculptural compositions, inscriptions on the stele, banners, and information platforms within the Jinfasi Temple Complex in Heihe.
Key words: Buddhism, China, religious landscape, Far Eastern borderland, Jinfasi Buddhist Temple, architecture, symbolism, Guanyin
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662-2026-1-109-124
About the author
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Olga V. Pelevina – PhD (Philosophy), Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Amur State University; 21 Ignat'evskoe shosse, Blagoveshhensk, 675027, Russia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |