Xi'an Wolong Temple: The Spiritual Palace of the First Zen Temple in Northwest China
Nestled in a tranquil valley at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, Wolong Temple in Xi'an exudes a tranquil and tranquil Zen atmosphere amidst lush greenery. Founded during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty (approximately 168-189 AD), this ancient temple was originally named "Fuying Zen Temple." During the Tang Dynasty, it was known as "Guanyin Temple" due to the enshrinement of a Guanyin statue by Wu Daozi and its emphasis on Pure Land Buddhism. The Song Dynasty monk Weiguo, known for his long years of meditation at the temple, led Emperor Taizong of Song to change the name to "Wolong Temple," marking its transition from Pure Land Buddhism to a Zen Buddhist monastery.
Wolong Temple, a rare large-scale Buddhist monastery in Northwest China, integrates the practice of Linji Zen meditation with cultural preservation. Preserving precious Buddhist relics such as the Tang Dynasty Buddha's Footprint Stele, the Southern Song Dynasty Tripitaka (Jishazang), and ancient Indian palm-leaf manuscripts, Wolong Temple boasts a rich cultural heritage. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, Empress Dowager Cixi, seeking refuge in Xi'an, donated a thousand taels of silver to rebuild this ancient temple. She personally inscribed the plaque "Imperially Built the Ten Directions Wolong Zen Temple," granting it imperial status.
On a balmy summer morning, a gentle breeze blew as our group of five entered Wolong Temple. Following the bluestone path, weaving through the shade of ancient trees, the sounds of morning bells and drums drifted closer and closer, each one pleasing to the ear. The melodious chants of Buddhist scriptures flowed in unison as monks and laypeople chanted sutras, the sound of the Dharma flowing like a spring. Each recitation, like a gentle breeze, cleansed our minds of impure thoughts, allowing us to reflect on our true nature and find joy and freedom.
The buildings of Wolong Temple, folded and winding along the mountainside, resemble a giant dragon lying amidst the verdant hills. Entering through the mountain gate, one is greeted by gray brick and red walls, shaded by ancient cypresses. In order, one can see the Heavenly King Hall, Guanyin Hall, Great Compassion Hall, Main Hall, Sutra Library, and Dharma Hall. These halls, arranged in an orderly pattern along the central axis, gradually rise from low to high. Walking through them, one feels as if entering a tranquil and pure land, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, a moment of detachment. Looking up at the mottled stone walls, it feels as if past wounds and present anxieties can be healed here. Leaving Wolong Temple, we exchanged a silent smile, as if we both understood: pilgrimage is not a journey, but a return to our original aspirations within the familiarity of life.
#Shifang Zen Forest
#First Zen Forest in Northwest China
#Linji Sect
#Zen
#Spirit of Zen
#Spiritual Healing Attractions
#Buddhist Architectural Aesthetics
#Spatial Art