Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin established a scientific research system for Chinese architecture to counter foreign claims that Chinese buildings lacked artistic value. By decoding the technical complexities of the *Yingzao Fashi* and conducting rigorous field surveys, they sought to locate authentic Tang Dynasty structures. Their 1937 discovery of the Foguang Temple in Shanxi—confirmed by inscriptions—marked a milestone in architectural history, proving the existence of Tang-era wooden buildings. This research, conducted under harsh conditions and the looming threat of war, remains a cornerstone of Chinese architectural heritage. The discussion also contrasts their work with Japanese scholar Ito Chuta’s research on the cross-cultural influences of Greek and Buddhist art, while emphasizing the urgent need to preserve remaining historical sites against modern destruction and neglect.
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