The temple in spring is so beautiful

In the Shishi Zen Monastery of Haicang, Xiamen, an encounter with spring is quietly unfolding. Although I missed the season when the pear blossoms were in full bloom, I was fortunate to come across the cherry blossoms that were blooming profusely. They were like a magnificent painting, too beautiful for words. The Shishi Zen Monastery, also known as the Lingjiu Mountain Stone Chamber Zen Temple, is a nationally renowned Yakushi Buddha site, located at the foot of Daimao Mountain in Xiayang Village, Xinyang Street, Haicang District. According to the records in the Zhangzhou Prefecture Annals and the imperial edict stele in the monastery, the Zen Monastery was built in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Chuigong era (i.e., 686 AD), and it has undergone five major renovations from the Song Dynasty to the Republic of China. The Ming Dynasty was its heyday, with 'three layers of halls and sixty-four monks' quarters.' The existing main hall, built during the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang era, was renovated during the Guangxu era, and the current buildings cover a total area of about 5,000 square meters. Walking into the temple is like entering an isolated fairyland. The breath of spring pervades every corner, with pear and cherry blossoms falling like snowflakes, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The tranquility of the temple contrasts with the splendor of the flowers, allowing one to experience the charm of nature and the beauty of life. Here, there are no noisy city sounds, only the whispers of birds and the gentle caress of the breeze. In this peaceful atmosphere, we can slow down, calm our minds, and feel the tranquility and joy within. The Shishi Zen Monastery has a long history, with scenic spots such as mountain stones, Guanyin Cliff, Sword Testing Stone, and Immortal's Foot Stone. Temple flowers: pear blossoms, cherry blossoms, kapok, and yellow trumpet trees. The pear blossoms are already at their end, and the flower season is almost over; cherry blossoms are blooming one after another, with many along the path of the 500 Arhats; kapok flowers are next to the bell tower; yellow trumpet trees are beside the Great Buddha Hall, but their flowering season is also nearly over. lthyu takes you on a tour of Xiamen Shishi Zen Monastery Xiayang Village, Haicang, Xiamen (beside the national highway)