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Buddhism was widespread among both commoners and the elite. Among
the elite, the most influential Buddhist sect was the Chan (better
known in the present-day West by the Japanese pronunciation of the
word — Zen).
The city we see in the scroll is unusual in having only one relatively
obscure temple. As in earlier cities, the highest structure in Kaifeng,
the Northern Song's capital, was a pagoda. Although pagodas don't
appear in this scroll, they dominated the skyline of many cities
during the Song dynasty, as they had in the Tang dynasty. Like the
spires of Europe's cathedrals and churches, the city pagoda was
often the first thing the traveler would see as he approached a
city or town.
• The "Iron Pagoda" in Kaifeng [China Internet Information Center] With an image and short description of the 11th-century "iron
pagoda," which is actually made of iron-colored glazed bricks
and tiles. The pagoda remains today a key attraction for visitors
to Kaifeng.
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