Erzu Temple, Yuexi County, Anhui

Erzu (Second Patriarch's) Temple (二祖寺) in Yuexi County, Anhui (安徽, 岳西县), is one of the most remote I've been to. It sits at the foot of Sikong Mountain (司空山).

Third Patriarch's Pagoda, Qingyuan Temple, Qianshan County, Anhui

This pagoda (塔) holds the remains of the Third Patriarch (三祖) of Chan (Zen=禅) at Qingyuan Temple (乾元寺), also called Third Patriarch's Temple (三祖寺), in Qianshan County, Anhui (安徽, 潜山县).

Zhenfeng Pagoda, Yingjiang Temple, Anqing, Anhui

The Zhenfeng Pagoda (振风塔) is the primary attraction at Yingjiang Temple (迎江寺) in Anqing, Anhui (安徽, 安庆市).

Courtyard, Ganlu Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

This courtyard is between the aptly-named "Old Wood Building" and the main hall (大雄宝殿, shown) at Ganlu Temple (甘露寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Jade Dizang, Zhiyuan Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

This "Jade" (玉, but perhaps plastic) image of Dizang (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva=地藏菩萨) sits in a rear hall at Zhiyuan Temple (祗园寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Pond, Huacheng Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The village pond (池) stands in front of Huacheng Temple (化城寺), said to be the first one built on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Friends, Baisuigong Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

Baisuigong Temple (百岁宫) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), is said to have been home to a monk that lived to be 126! Hence the name "100 Year Palace."

Elephant, Zhantanlin Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

This elephant is a fitting symbol of the mammoth (get it?) Zhantanlin Temple (旃檀林) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Gate, Long Nunnery, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The gate of tiny Long (Dragon) Nunnery (龙庵) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山). This place is dwarfed by the massive Zhantanlin (旃檀林) across the street.

Jingtu Nunnery, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

Jingtu Nunnery (净土庵) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), was located just next to my hotel.

Courtyard, Jingjie Jingshi, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The courtyard of Jingjie Jingshi (净洁精舍) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), was fairly crowded--a sign I was nearing the bottom of the trail.

Three Small Temples, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

These three small temples on the route down from Shangchantang Temple (上禅堂) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), show just how compact (and plentiful) the establishments are there.

Ceremony, Shangchantang Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

A ceremony was being conducted in the main (and only) hall (大雄宝殿) at Shangchantang Temple (上禅堂) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山). I watched it for nearly two hours.

Flesh Body Pagoda, Roushendian, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The Flesh Body Pagoda (肉身塔) at Roushendian (肉身殿) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), is said to hold the uncorrupted body of the Korean monk named Jin Qiaojue (金乔觉), who was supposed to be the rebirth of Dizang (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva=地藏菩萨).

Huiju Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The trail from the top at Tiantai Temple (天台寺) led between the two main buildings at Huiju Temple (慧居寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山), although a new hall has been built behind the one on the right.

Jixiang Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The path down the mountain from Tiantai Temple (天台寺) led down these stairs at Jixiang Temple (吉祥寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Doorway, Changsheng Gudong, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The doorway was all I saw of the "ancient cave" called Changsheng Gudong (长生古洞) as I trudged down from Tiantai Temple (天台寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Winnowing Nun, Fuxing Nunnery, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

This nun (尼姑) was winnowing something--nuts?--in the courtyard formed by the path running between buildings at Fuxing Nunnery (复兴庵) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Carving, Chaoyang Nunnery, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

This carving is in native rock inside the main hall (大雄宝殿) at Chaoyang Nunnery (朝阳庵) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Tianqiao Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

The "Heaven Bridge" (天桥) which lent its name to Tianqiao Temple (天桥寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Dizang and Attendants, Guanyin Feng Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

A newly-carved Dizang (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva=地藏菩萨) and his freshly-primed attendants at Guanyin Feng Temple (观音峰) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Buddhas, Tiantai Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

These small Buddhas (佛) are waiting to be placed in a reconstructed 10,000 Buddha Hall (万佛殿) at Tiantai Temple (天台寺) on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Gu Baijing Tai Temple, Jiuhuashan, Anhui

Gu Baijing Tai (古拜经台) Temple, where the famous reincarnation of Dizang (Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva=地藏菩萨) named Jin Qiaojue (金乔觉) meditated on Jiuhuashan, Anhui (安徽, 九华山).

Buddha Triad, Beishan Grottoes, Dazu, Chongqing

An elegant Buddha Triad (三尊佛) at Beishan Grottoes (北山石窟) in "downtown" Dazu, Chongqing (重庆, 大足).

Wheel of Rebirth, Baodingshan Grottoes, Dazu, Chongqing

The famous Wheel of Rebirth (六道轮回) at Baodingshan Grottoes (宝顶山石窟), one of many in and around Dazu, Chongqing (重庆, 大足).

Gate, Shuangguitang Temple, Liangping County, Chongqing

The main gate of Shuangguitang Temple (双桂堂) in rural Liangping County, Chongqing (重庆, 梁平县), a refreshing break from the congested city.

Facade, Ciyun Temple, Chongqing

The facade of Ciyun Temple (慈云寺) in Chongqing (重庆) looks more like a fortress than a religious establishment; note the buildings marching up one of Chongqing's trademark hills.

Two Arhats, Luohan Temple, Chongqing

Two of the 500 arhats (五百罗汉) after which Luohan (Arhat) Temple (罗汉寺) in Chongqing (重庆) was named. They are all exquisite.