Revealing the Wishing Ceremony of the Ancient Temple | Guoqing Temple

Retracing Xu Xiake's Eastern Zhejiang Route. At the foot of Tiantai Mountain lies Guoqing Temple, the ancestral court of the Tiantai Sect. In the original novel 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils,' it is mentioned that the eminent monk Zhizhe from the Sui Dynasty resided here, greatly promoting the Tiantai Sect. Guoqing Temple is one of China's four great temples, with a history of over 1,400 years. In 2015, after Tiantai Mountain, where it is located, was upgraded to a 5A scenic spot, the original 5 yuan ticket price for Guoqing Temple not only did not increase, but was completely abolished two years later, making it free to the public. In the serene and ancient environment, the temple is full of hidden mysteries. For example, the large bronze cauldron in front of the Mahavira Hall comes from the Forbidden City and was made by Emperor Qianlong to celebrate his mother's birthday. The pair of lions made of whole white marble in front of the temple were also selected from the Forbidden City as treasures to guard the temple. The path leading to the temple has rice fields on the left and forests on the right, with babbling streams and towering ancient trees. Every step here is like a painting, exuding the serene Zen atmosphere of the temple nestled in the mountains and waters. Although there is no entrance fee, the scenery here is no less impressive than other scenic spots, and it has a more rustic and natural charm. It is praised as China's most 'foolish' scenic spot. Here, a vegetarian meal costs only 2 yuan, and a night's stay is only 25 yuan. The monks in the temple still maintain a self-sufficient farming lifestyle. During busy farming seasons, it seems that every plant and tree here is filled with Zen. It is worth a visit to learn about the history, culture, and religious beliefs of Guoqing Temple...