“Revolving Sutra Cabinet” (zhuanlun jingzang) is an octagonal sutra cabinet. It has a stone plinth supporting the wooden cabinets and does not revolve. A Vairocana Buddha seated on a lotus is positioned right at the center on top of the sutra cabinet. The off-center position of the sutra cabinet turns out to be a calculated decision, as it creates enough space and angle for a visitor to see the Vairocana Buddha right before s/he enters the hall.
close view, white marble base with detail of Sumeru dais, showing some of the Eight Treasures. The upper edge of the octagonal Sumeru dais is carved with the Eight Treasures (Sk. Astamangala) in low relief. While the sequence of the eight items might differ, these invariably include the wheel, the conch, the parasol, the canopy, the lotus, the vase, the goldfish, and the knot, which are usually arranged from right to left (clockwise).