Fatang

The Fatang (Traditional Chinese: 法堂, pinyin: Fǎtáng) (lit: “Dharma Hall”) is an important building in Han Chinese Buddhist temples.^[1] The fatang is the place for senior monks to preach and generally ranks right after the Mahavira Hall.^[1]

Fatang
The Dharma Hall at Hanshan Temple, in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Traditional Chinese	法堂
Simplified Chinese	法堂
Literal meaning	Dharma Hall
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Fǎtáng

With the similar architecture form with other halls, the fatang is more spacious.^[1] In the central back, there is a high platform with a sitting chair putting in the middle.^[1] In front of the chair is a table with a small sitting Buddha on it, behind the platform is a screen or a picture of lion which is also known as "Roaring lion" (獅子吼), hung on the wall.^[1] Seats are placed on both sides of the platform with bells and drums for senior monks to beat when they are preaching.^[1] There are also seats on both sides of the monks' seats for laymen to listen to the Buddha Dharma by senior monks.^[2][3]