Sanzu Temple

Sanzu Temple is located on the scenic Fengxing Mountain in the south of Tianzhu Mountain in Anhui Province. From the topographical point of view, Sanzu Mountain is like a fluttering phoenix, and Sanzu Temple is built under the phoenix's neck.

Sanzu Temple was founded by the Southern Dynasty National Master Baozhi Zen Master, and was named Shan Gu Temple by Emperor Wu of Liang. In the early Sui Dynasty, the third patriarch of Zen Buddhism, Sengcan, came here to preach and teach, and passed on his robe and bowl to the fourth patriarch Daoxin, who established his monastery here in 606 AD, so it was called Sanzu Temple. Later, Emperor Suzong of Tang named Sanzu Temple Sanzu Shan Gu Qianyuan Zen Temple. Emperor Daizong of Tang also posthumously named the third patriarch Sengcan as Master Jianzhi Zen Master, and named his stupa Jueji Pagoda. Emperor Taizong of Song posthumously named the founder Baozhi Zen Master as Master Baogong, and named him Master Daolin Zhenjue Zen Master. The glorious status of Sanzu Temple attracted many literati and poets. In the Northern Song Dynasty alone, Lin Bu, Wang Anshi, Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian, Li Gonglin, Lu Zai and others visited the temple and wrote poems. Some of them even stayed in the temple to study, cultivate themselves, and study Buddhism. There is a poem that says, "Who is the best in the Zen forest? This place is the best in the south."

The natural scenery and cultural landscapes around Sanzu Temple blend together and complement each other. The scenery changes with each step, and it is dazzling. The Baihe Peak, Bailugang, and the ruins of Zhenyuan Palace in the east of the temple are as if they are right beside you; the Jingjia Bridge and Wutang Xiaodu on both sides of the Qianshui River in the south of the temple are in full view; the valley springs, the Stone Ox Ancient Cave, and the cliff carvings in the west of the temple are still in front of you; the Zhuoxi Peak and Chaotian Peak in the north of the temple compete with the Jueji Pagoda. In addition, there are lush ancient cypresses and pines on the Sanzu Mountain.

The Sanzu Temple now has several large halls, including the Mountain Gate Hall, Tongtian Steps, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, Jueji Pagoda, and Patriarch Hall. The Sanzu Temple once attracted dignitaries of all dynasties with its splendor, and left their original marks on the cliffs of the valley.