Xiaopu Tuo, China - Liuyun Zen Temple, Xiapu
Although Liuyun Zen Temple is not an ancient temple, it is built on a mountain with dense vegetation, which is very wild. Climb up the steps and look far away, and the beach under the mountain will spread out. The various statues and carvings in the Zen Temple are also relatively exquisite, and it is worth a special visit.
Sansha Liuyun Zen Temple is located on the east wall of the west side of Sansha, Xiapu County, Fujian Province.
• Historical origin: It was built in the fourth year of Liang Tianjian (505 AD) and was originally named Baihe Nanxiang Temple. It reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty, and the temple base was expanded to 180 mu. During the Shaoding period of the Song Dynasty, because Emperor Lizong Zhao Yun gave the plaque of Nanxiang Temple, the name of the temple was changed to Nanxiang Temple. In 1700 AD, Emperor Kangxi gave the title Yunxiang Temple, so it was renamed Yunxiang Temple.
• Architectural pattern: Facing the sea on the mountain, facing north and south, the main building runs east and west along the mountain, and there are four buildings side by side. The main buildings include the Mahavira Hall, the Jade Buddha Hall, the Liuyun Cave, the Liuyun Pavilion, the Dizang Hall, the God of Wealth Hall, the Guanyin Garden, the Ciyun Building and other halls.
• Scenic spot features:
• There are many cliff stone carvings: there are "Haedong Scenic Spot, Liuyun Jisheng" written by Chen Lifu, an elder of the Kuomintang, and "Unprecedented" by Wei Yonggong. There are also the word "Fu" by Master Benhuan, the master of Zen Buddhism, "Please Buddha live in the world" by Master Mingshan, "Buddha's hand and mother's heart" by Master Xingyun, "The heart of a saint is the sun and the moon, and the benevolent is the life of mountains and rivers" by Zhao Puchu, the former president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, "The dragon travels in the sky, the clouds stay in the flat cave" by modern calligrapher You Shou, "The wind and the sea" by Zhu Yisa, and "The clouds listen to the waves" by Zheng Naiguang.
• The natural landscape is peculiar: Liuyun Cave is a natural Buddha cave, covered by a huge rock, commonly known as "a tile" or "stone house". There are more than 20 scenic spots in Liuyun, such as "stringless piano", "a line of sky", "dry spring", "Guanyin Cihang", "monk listening to scriptures", "jade rabbit enjoying the moon", "frogs competing", "toads playing in the water", "unicorn flying", "camel watching the waves", "rhinoceros looking at the fire", "golden plate stacking fruit", etc., which are vivid and lifelike.
• The atmosphere of Buddhist culture is strong: after more than half a century of development and construction, there are now Huanchan Nunnery, Liuyun Zen Temple, Guanyin Garden, Maitreya Garden, etc. A large number of cliff stone carvings and many original stone Buddha sculptures make this place full of strong Buddhist culture, known as "Xiaopu Tuo in eastern Fujian", the ashram of Guanyin Bodhisattva.