十字寺(si),是目前(qian)中國發現的比較完整的景(jing)教寺(si)院遺址之(zhi)一,殿宇已(yi)毀壞,其(qi)遺物尚有寺(si)廟地基,五間(jian),坐(zuo)北朝南;一棵(ke)(ke)古(gu)銀(yin)(yin)杏樹(shu)枝繁葉茂,樹(shu)圍5.24米(mi),樹(shu)高(gao)約30米(mi),一棵(ke)(ke)柏樹(shu)依附于樹(shu)下,古(gu)銀(yin)(yin)杏樹(shu)左側10米(mi)遠(yuan)處另有一棵(ke)(ke)3米(mi)多(duo)高(gao)的小(xiao)銀(yin)(yin)杏樹(shu),挺拔茂盛(sheng),似有競生(sheng)之(zhi)態勢。
寺(si)(si)院內(nei)有漢(han)白玉石碑兩通(tong),一為(wei)(wei)遼碑,碑正面(mian)上方橫(heng)書:“三盆(pen)山(shan)崇圣院碑記”,刻(ke)(ke)于(yu)遼應歷十年(nian)(nian)(960),碑高204厘米(mi),寬(kuan)91厘米(mi),厚20厘米(mi);另(ling)(ling)一為(wei)(wei)元(yuan)碑,碑額頂端圓球(qiu)內(nei)刻(ke)(ke)有十字(zi),左(zuo)右各(ge)有一條石雕(diao)云(yun)龍(long),正中(zhong)刻(ke)(ke)有“敕賜十字(zi)寺(si)(si)碑記”,刻(ke)(ke)于(yu)元(yuan)至正二(er)十五年(nian)(nian)(1365),碑高307厘米(mi),寬(kuan)92厘米(mi),厚20厘米(mi),碑附近還有漢(han)白玉雕(diao)刻(ke)(ke)的(de)(de)龜趺(fu)石兩個,石柱(zhu)礎4個,柱(zhu)礎邊長78厘米(mi),高20厘米(mi),柱(zhu)礎上刻(ke)(ke)有葵(kui)花圖案,花盤(pan)平整,直徑54厘米(mi),花盤(pan)周圍刻(ke)(ke)有花瓣16個,花瓣上刻(ke)(ke)有團狀(zhuang)云(yun)紋;另(ling)(ling)有直徑48厘米(mi)的(de)(de)圓柱(zhu)礎一個。由(you)于(yu)北京(jing)房山(shan)十字(zi)寺(si)(si)及(ji)其碑刻(ke)(ke)遺(yi)物在(zai)中(zhong)國(guo)大陸(lu)是(shi)獨(du)一無(wu)二(er)的(de)(de),其宗教文(wen)化(hua)價值人文(wen)價值無(wu)與(yu)倫(lun)比,所以這(zhe)處原(yuan)是(shi)房山(shan)區級(ji)文(wen)物保護單(dan)位。2006年(nian)(nian)05月25日,十字(zi)寺(si)(si)遺(yi)址作為(wei)(wei)元(yuan)代古(gu)遺(yi)址,被(bei)國(guo)務院批準列入第六批全國(guo)重(zhong)點文(wen)物保護單(dan)位名單(dan)。
作為東西(xi)(xi)方宗(zong)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)文(wen)化(hua)交流,基(ji)督教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)傳入中(zhong)(zhong)國始于(yu)唐代。基(ji)督教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(在(zai)中(zhong)(zhong)國名景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao))聶斯托利派阿羅(luo)本主教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao),于(yu)唐太(tai)宗(zong)貞(zhen)觀(guan)九年(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)635年(nian)(nian))到(dao)(dao)達長(chang)安(an)(西(xi)(xi)安(an))。貞(zhen)觀(guan)十(shi)二年(nian)(nian)(638年(nian)(nian))七月,唐太(tai)宗(zong)詔(zhao)曰:“道(dao)無常名,圣(sheng)無常體,隋方設(she)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao),密濟群(qun)生,波斯阿羅(luo)本遠將(jiang)經教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)來(lai)(lai)獻上(shang)京(jing),詳其教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)旨,玄(xuan)妙無為,生成立(li)要(yao),濟物利人(ren),宜行天下所(suo)司。即于(yu)義寧坊建(jian)寺(si)一(yi)所(suo),度僧二十(shi)一(yi)人(ren)。”(《唐會要(yao)》卷49)唐高宗(zong)時(shi)下詔(zhao):“于(yu)各(ge)州(zhou)各(ge)置景(jing)(jing)(jing)寺(si),乃(nai)崇阿羅(luo)本為鎮國大(da)法主”,發展為“法流十(shi)通”,“寺(si)滿百城(cheng)(cheng)”的(de)(de)(de)興(xing)盛時(shi)期(qi)(西(xi)(xi)安(an)《大(da)秦景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)流行中(zhong)(zhong)國碑》)。唐玄(xuan)宗(zong)天寶四年(nian)(nian)(公(gong)(gong)元(yuan)745年(nian)(nian))九月,詔(zhao)曰:“波斯經教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)出自大(da)秦(古代中(zhong)(zhong)國對羅(luo)馬帝國的(de)(de)(de)稱(cheng)謂),傳習而來(lai)(lai),久行中(zhong)(zhong)國,初建(jian)寺(si),因(yin)以(yi)為名,將(jiang)欲示人(ren),必(bi)修其本,其東西(xi)(xi)兩(liang)京(jing)波斯寺(si),宜改為大(da)秦寺(si),天下諸州(zhou)郡置者宜準此。”(《唐會要(yao)》卷49)唐代北京(jing)為幽(you)州(zhou),推理(li)應設(she)大(da)秦寺(si)。另據曹新(xin)華先生的(de)(de)(de)《房山十(shi)字(zi)寺(si)的(de)(de)(de)變(bian)(bian)遷》一(yi)文(wen)記(ji)述:“唐幽(you)州(zhou)(轄今房山)的(de)(de)(de)崇圣(sheng)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)也(ye)在(zai)悄悄地發生著(zhu)變(bian)(bian)化(hua)。景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)徒們(men)來(lai)(lai)到(dao)(dao)了(le)崇圣(sheng)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan),不知(zhi)道(dao)是(shi)(shi)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)里的(de)(de)(de)佛(fo)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)徒皈(gui)依了(le)景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)還是(shi)(shi)寺(si)中(zhong)(zhong)已無佛(fo)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)徒緣故(gu),景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)徒們(men)占(zhan)用(yong)了(le)這(zhe)所(suo)寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)。他們(men)在(zai)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)中(zhong)(zhong)豎立(li)起一(yi)座刻(ke)有基(ji)督教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)標志‘十(shi)字(zi)’的(de)(de)(de)幢(chuang),以(yi)示與佛(fo)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)寺(si)院(yuan)(yuan)(yuan)的(de)(de)(de)區(qu)別,于(yu)是(shi)(shi)遠離京(jing)城(cheng)(cheng)長(chang)安(an)的(de)(de)(de)幽(you)州(zhou)也(ye)出現了(le)景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)堂。”這(zhe)些記(ji)述與遺址內現存的(de)(de)(de)遼代石碑碑文(wen)“古跡猶存石幢(chuang)一(yi)座”;元(yuan)代石碑碑文(wen)“古幢(chuang)十(shi)字(zi)重(zhong)重(zhong)發光”相吻合。所(suo)以(yi)說,現房山十(shi)字(zi)寺(si)遺址,可上(shang)溯到(dao)(dao)唐代,是(shi)(shi)唐代幽(you)州(zhou)景(jing)(jing)(jing)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)教(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)(jiao)堂的(de)(de)(de)代表(biao)。
景教于唐太(tai)(tai)宗(zong)年(nian)(nian)代(dai)興(xing)起(qi),武(wu)周受挫,唐玄(xuan)宗(zong)鼎盛,至唐會(hui)昌五年(nian)(nian)(公元845年(nian)(nian))唐武(wu)宗(zong)“滅(mie)佛”下詔曰:“釋(shi)教既(ji)已(yi)厘革,邪(xie)法不可獨存(cun),其人并勒還俗,遞歸本貫充稅戶,如(ru)外國(guo),送還本國(guo)收管。”至此,在武(wu)宗(zong)“滅(mie)佛”的同(tong)時(shi),景教在中(zhong)國(guo)遭到重大(da)打(da)擊(ji)。然而(er),武(wu)宗(zong)846年(nian)(nian)駕崩,847年(nian)(nian)唐宣宗(zong)繼位(wei),收回先帝成命,重建寺院,景教僧(seng)徒也必乘(cheng)機(ji)恢復。所(suo)以,當唐僖宗(zong)乾(qian)符五年(nian)(nian)(公元878年(nian)(nian))黃巢率民(min)起(qi)義,為唐死守廣州城而(er)戰死的人們中(zhong)間,有(you)十萬(wan)阿拉伯、猶太(tai)(tai)、波斯(si)人,其中(zhong)景教徒多矣。景教第一次完全毀滅(mie),是約(yue)在公元十世紀時(shi)候,即當五代(dai)與北(bei)宋時(shi)期,中(zhong)國(guo)史籍已(yi)不在道及(ji)大(da)秦寺及(ji)大(da)秦僧(seng)了。
景教(jiao)雖在五代(dai)及(ji)宋(song)時(shi)(shi)絕(jue)跡于中(zhong)國,而(er)在中(zhong)亞西(xi)亞一(yi)帶(dai)則仍在生存(cun)發展。所以,在十(shi)二至十(shi)三世(shi)紀,隨(sui)著蒙古(gu)成吉(ji)思(si)汗(han)統(tong)一(yi)各(ge)部建立蒙古(gu)國時(shi)(shi),在克烈、乃蠻、汪古(gu)及(ji)回(hui)鶻(維吾爾)各(ge)部中(zhong),有(you)很(hen)多都是景教(jiao)徒(tu)(tu)。其(qi)定宗貴由(you)及(ji)元世(shi)祖忽必烈的母(mu)親均是景教(jiao)徒(tu)(tu)。金貞祐三年(nian)(1215年(nian)),蒙古(gu)軍攻下金中(zhong)都(今(jin)北京(jing)),景教(jiao)傳入北京(jing)。繼而(er)入主中(zhong)華后,中(zhong)亞西(xi)亞景教(jiao)徒(tu)(tu)隨(sui)之(zhi)而(er)來(lai),所以,十(shi)字(zi)寺在元朝時(shi)(shi)候是最為鼎盛(sheng)時(shi)(shi)期。據元史記載,當時(shi)(shi)的汗(han)八里(li)(今(jin)北京(jing))已是景教(jiao)的一(yi)個大教(jiao)區,并駐有(you)大主教(jiao)。
《一(yi)五五○年前的中(zhong)國(guo)基(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)督(du)史》記:“十(shi)字(zi)寺環境幽(you)雅(ya),地處(chu)三盆山麓,在(zai)房(fang)(fang)(fang)山縣(xian)西北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)六七英(ying)里,在(zai)北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)京西南(nan)(nan)西約(yue)四十(shi)英(ying)里。靠近(jin)廟有(you)(you)一(yi)條小河,門上橫書——古(gu)剎十(shi)字(zi)禪林。”1919年7月(yue)(yue)哈丁(ding)先(xian)生在(zai)《新(xin)中(zhong)國(guo)評論》(321頁)上第一(yi)次(ci)報(bao)導了(le)這個(ge)寺及其基(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)督(du)教(jiao)寺名。另據《中(zhong)國(guo)基(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)督(du)教(jiao)年鑒(jian)》(12期(qi)186頁)記:“1931年9月(yue)(yue)6日,日本人(ren)在(zai)華北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)房(fang)(fang)(fang)山縣(xian)城十(shi)八里之山上,發現景教(jiao)古(gu)碑。”當局為(wei)(wei)了(le)保護(hu)文物(wu)(wu)(wu),同年12月(yue)(yue)將其中(zhong)的兩(liang)(liang)塊(kuai)(kuai)十(shi)字(zi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)運(yun)往北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)京博(bo)(bo)物(wu)(wu)(wu)院收(shou)藏。1936年“文物(wu)(wu)(wu)南(nan)(nan)遷”時,又運(yun)往南(nan)(nan)京博(bo)(bo)物(wu)(wu)(wu)院。1997年,北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)京市基(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)督(du)教(jiao)三自愛(ai)國(guo)運(yun)動委員會(hui)、房(fang)(fang)(fang)山區(qu)文物(wu)(wu)(wu)保護(hu)協會(hui),為(wei)(wei)全面(mian)(mian)(mian)考證十(shi)字(zi)傳世(shi)遺物(wu)(wu)(wu),派(pai)人(ren)到南(nan)(nan)京博(bo)(bo)物(wu)(wu)(wu)院造訪(fang),發現南(nan)(nan)京博(bo)(bo)物(wu)(wu)(wu)院展廳中(zhong)展示(shi)著“房(fang)(fang)(fang)山縣(xian)元(yuan)代景教(jiao)十(shi)字(zi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)”一(yi)塊(kuai)(kuai)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)共兩(liang)(liang)塊(kuai)(kuai),另一(yi)塊(kuai)(kuai)在(zai)庫房(fang)(fang)(fang)中(zhong)存放(fang)。經(jing)查閱《南(nan)(nan)京博(bo)(bo)物(wu)(wu)(wu)院珍藏》一(yi)書,第78頁記載著這兩(liang)(liang)塊(kuai)(kuai)十(shi)字(zi)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)為(wei)(wei)漢白玉大理石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)刻(ke),高68.5厘(li)米(mi),寬(kuan)58.5厘(li)米(mi),厚58厘(li)米(mi),石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)花(hua)紋精美,十(shi)字(zi)清晰。其中(zhong)一(yi)塊(kuai)(kuai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)正(zheng)(zheng)面(mian)(mian)(mian)上方為(wei)(wei)十(shi)字(zi),下側刻(ke)有(you)(you)敘利亞(ya)文,據專家(jia)認(ren)定為(wei)(wei):“仰望(wang)他(ta),寄(ji)希望(wang)于他(ta)”的意思(si)。石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)右(you)側一(yi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)刻(ke)一(yi)束(shu)菊花(hua),左側一(yi)面(mian)(mian)(mian)刻(ke)一(yi)束(shu)冬青草(cao)。另一(yi)塊(kuai)(kuai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)正(zheng)(zheng)面(mian)(mian)(mian)有(you)(you)十(shi)字(zi),無(wu)敘利亞(ya)文,有(you)(you)兩(liang)(liang)顆桃(tao)形的心相對望(wang)。兩(liang)(liang)塊(kuai)(kuai)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)雕(diao)(diao)上端均(jun)呈凹字(zi)。經(jing)分析,認(ren)定為(wei)(wei)原北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)京房(fang)(fang)(fang)山景教(jiao)十(shi)字(zi)寺坐(zuo)北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)朝南(nan)(nan)十(shi)字(zi)寺正(zheng)(zheng)殿(dian)東南(nan)(nan)和西北(bei)(bei)(bei)(bei)角(jiao)的兩(liang)(liang)塊(kuai)(kuai)抱柱基(ji)(ji)(ji)(ji)石(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。