Guoqing Temple: A Zen Journey of Agriculture and Meditation

One weekend, I drove from Hangzhou to Guoqing Temple in Tiantai, Taizhou with a friend. The journey was about 170 km, and it took about 2.5 hours to reach the temple along the Changtai Expressway. The scenery outside the window kept changing, and my heart was filled with anticipation. I couldn't wait to experience the tranquility and simplicity of Guoqing Temple. When I arrived at Guoqing Temple, I was immediately drawn to the agricultural and meditation landscape outside the temple. The vast rice fields and vegetable gardens were arranged in an orderly manner. The breeze gently swayed the rice ears, as if telling stories of the past. Walking along the field paths, I could see the local villagers working. This simple life of agriculture and meditation complemented the tranquility and harmony of the temple. Guoqing Temple was built in the 18th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty. It was constructed according to the design drawn by Master Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai Sect. It was originally named Tiantai Temple, but later renamed Guoqing Temple, meaning "If the temple is completed, the country will be peaceful." It is not only the ancestral temple of the Tiantai Sect of Buddhism, but also the birthplace of the first sect in Chinese Buddhism. Throughout history, countless eminent monks and great masters have practiced and taught here, leaving behind many legendary stories. For example, before Master Jianzhen of the Tang Dynasty traveled to Japan, he visited Guoqing Temple many times to study Buddhism and spread the teachings of the Tiantai Sect overseas. As I stepped into Guoqing Temple, the charm of the ancient temple, with its towering ancient trees, yellow walls, and black tiles, enveloped me. The faint aroma of incense instantly calmed me down. The temple's architecture is well-preserved, and the Mahavira Hall is solemn and majestic. Every detail exudes a sense of history. As I strolled through the temple, I occasionally heard the chanting of monks, which seemed to have a magical power to cleanse the dust from my heart. After a tiring walk, I had to try the vegetarian food at Guoqing Temple. The vegetarian restaurant is located inside the temple, offering a wide variety of delicious vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian noodles are a must-try, with chewy noodles, rich broth, and fresh, crisp side dishes. There are also various vegetarian stir-fried dishes, made with simple ingredients but cooked to perfection, with every bite full of natural flavors. Every corner of Guoqing Temple exudes a unique charm. The agricultural and meditation landscape outside the temple made me appreciate the simplicity of life, while the tranquility and harmony inside the temple provided solace for my soul. This self-driving trip from Hangzhou not only allowed me to enjoy beautiful scenery and delicious vegetarian food, but also enriched my knowledge with the history and culture of Guoqing Temple.