Donglin Temple - A must-visit place in Mount Lu

Tips: Donglin Temple, like the Donglin Grand Buddha, is also free of charge. Closed on Mondays. Free vegetarian meals are suspended during holidays due to the large number of visitors. Dress appropriately and avoid revealing clothes. Transportation: Take a taxi from Jiujiang Station for 22 kilometers, or from Lushan Station for 10 kilometers. From Jiujiang Station, take bus 72 to Xunnan Parking Lot Station, then transfer to bus 62/61 to Donglin Temple Station, and walk for 1 kilometer. From Lushan Station, take the shuttle bus to the Transfer Center, then take bus 76 to Luyuan New Village Station, and walk to Tianchi Road East Station to transfer to bus 62/61. Donglin Temple was founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty by Master Huiyuan, the founder of the Pure Land Sect, with the support of the governor of Jiangzhou. It has a history of over 1600 years. Here stands the 'First Pine of Mount Lu,' as old as the temple itself. Passing under the tree, it feels as if the dust of its ancient history falls from the leaves into one's hair. In front of the chanting platform, an unprovoked solemnity arises, and the distant green mountains are so pure in the clouds that they bring peace to the mind. The strings of copper bells hanging from the eaves spread a faint Buddhist chant when caressed by the wind. It reminds me of Li Bai's poem 'Farewell to a Monk at Donglin Temple' - 'At Donglin where guests are sent off, the moon rises and white gibbons howl. Laughing farewell to the distant Mount Lu, why bother crossing Tiger Creek?' I imagine that back then, Donglin Temple must have been very quiet, leisurely, and beautiful.