Many Buddhas have smalls animals around them, which are equally true to life. A white six-trunked elephant, moved by Buddha's preaching, sheds tears. The tears just gather and seem to be about to stream down its face at the next blink. A fox looks back at its master, the fine hair and thin veins on its pricked ears clearly seen. It is said that these works represent the highest artistic standard of decorative art from the Ming Dynasty. The exquisite creations adhere to traditional designs that prevailed in the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties but with the artisans' individual styles or temperament typical of the Ming Dynasty. The Fahai Temple thus provides a good example of the integration of traditional modes with styles of the period in ancient Chinese paintings. Therefore, some celebrated experts from Beijing's cultural relics and fine art circles treasure the murals of that period in the Fahai Temple. The murals not only enrich the profuse collections of cultural relics in Beijing but also rival Western masterpieces, The murals in the temple are outstanding among the wall paintings of the same period in the world. Compared to the wall paintings of Dunhuang and Yongle Palace, it is unique in its own right with its own salient features. As such these murals truly do rival Western masterpieces of the Renaissance Period, and merit a visit by every serious traveller interested in the unique history of China.
The drawing technology is superb. It has been preserved for over 500 years without peeling and is still in perfect condition. Even the colours have not faded with the leakage of water. Experts believe that certain elements were mixed into the construction materials as well as into the paint. To find the answer to the riddle is expected to be an important part of the mural studies.
The local government has been paying great attention to the preservation of the temple and especially its murals by investing a large sum of money in restoring the temple.