Zhihua Gate (Zhihuamen, Tianwangdian, or Hall of the Heavenly Kings), exterior

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Title: Zhihua Gate (Zhihuamen, Tianwangdian, or Hall of the Heavenly Kings), exterior; 智化門, 外部

Inscription: 敕賜智化禪寺之記。今上皇帝嗣承大寶以來, 天下太平, 百穀豐稔, 無間遠邇內外, 皆家給而人足. 是以安生樂業之餘, 又得以遂其報本追遠之愿焉… 寺之建也，殿、堂、門、廡，各以序為，與夫幡幢、法具、庖（福）、廩庾之類，靡或不備。規制弘敞，像設尊嚴，塗暨堅完，采繪鮮麗. 凡百工材之費, 一出己資, 蓋始於正統九年正月初九日, 而落成于是年三月初一日. 既而以聞, 王嘉之, 特賜名曰智化禪寺…大明正統九年九月初九日佛弟子□□□□□□□□□

Work Description: The entrance hall, named Zhihua Gate, is a small structure with three bays across the front and two bays across the depth (13 x 7.8 meters). It originally contained four now-lost statues of the Four Heavenly Kings installed to guard and protect the temple. Taken together with the Drum Tower on the west and Bell Tower on the east immediately inside the entrance gate (shanmen), the first quadrangle serves as a preparatory space before one makes entry into the main part of the complex to venerate the Buddhas.; 智化门规模较小，面阔三间、进深二间（13x7.8米），原塑有四大天王像，分列东西，镇护佛寺。总的来说，从南开始，紧接在山门之内有东西对峙的鼓楼和钟楼, 智化门位于最南的第一院落，可视为礼佛者进入佛寺中心的前导性空间。