Refuge Rock, Shaoguan, Guangdong

The Refuge Rock (避難石) in Shaoguan, Guangdong (广东, 韶关市), is where the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅) is said to have hidden when his persecutors set fire to the brush on the hillside where he had been hiding.

Sixth Patriarch's Spring, Nanhua Temple, Shaoguan, Guangdong

 

The Nine Dragon Spring (九龙泉) at Nanhua Temple (南华寺) in Shaoguan, Guangdong (广东, 韶关市). Legend says it was created when the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅) tapped the ground nine times with his staff; nine dragons flew out of the ground and the spring began to run.

Master Xuyun, Yunmen Temple, Shaoguan, Guangdong

 

This statue commemorates Master Xuyun (虚云大师) at Yunmen Temple (云门寺) in Shaoguan, Guangdong (广东, 韶关市). It is one of the many temples he rebuilt in the 20th century.

Ancient Trees, Dajian Temple, Shaoguan, Guangdong

These ancient trees are all that remain of the former Dajian Temple (大鉴寺) in Shaoguan, Guangdong, (广东, 韶关市) where the Sixth Patriarch (六祖) of Chan (Zen = 禅) is said to have delivered the Platform Sutra (坛经). Small halls in front seem to have been created from an apartment building.

Please Stand By

Dear Friends,

Because of the unexpected travel required by the recent death of my father, I have fallen behind a bit in the production of my pictures; I'll catch up again in a few days. Thanks for your patience.

James

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).