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Jiuhuashan Mountain
Mt. Jiuhua lies 20km northeast of Qingyang County, Anhui
Province and is a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrims. Mt. Jiuhua has been
established as one of the four most important Buddhist Mountains and is
well-known as "the most picturesque mountain in the southeast China".
Famous for its beautiful scenery and favorable climate, the mountain is
an ideal summer resort. The 100 km2 area is full of ridges and peaks,
exotic-shaped stones, gushing fountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear
streams. Birds accompany the beating of bell and drum. Fog and pines set
each other off beautifully.
The original name of the mountain was Mt. Jiuzishan. However it was renamed
Mt. Jiuhua, meaning "the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses." Legend states
that one day, Libai - the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty - came to visit
this mountain. The poet was intoxicated with the scene of nine peaks that
look like lotus blooms from heaven. Out of admiration he wrote the lines:
"From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating
lotuses rise out of the hills below." Since then the mountain has attracted
men of letters through several dynasties, and thus obtained its fame.
Just as the Chinese saying goes:" A mountain is famous not for its height
but for its holiness".
Famous Buddhist Shrine
It was not until the late eighth century that the mountain became a place
where religious rites were held to worship the God of Earth. The construction
of temples started in the Tang Dynasty and their enlargement continued
in the following dynasties. By the middle of the Qing, Mt. Jiuhua became
one of the four great Buddhist Mountains in China (the other three being
Mt. Emeishan in Sichuan, Mt. Wutaishan in Shanxi and Mt. Putuoshan in
Zhejiang).
"Huacheng Temple" is the oldest temples on the mountain. It looks simple
and solemn. Its lintels, brackets and roofs all have artistic engravings
on them. The picture "nine dragons are playing with pearls" on a panel
in the "Main Shrine Hall" is a consummate piece of ancient Chinese artists.
Precious sutras and other cultural relics in Huacheng and other temples
are on display in the Historical Relics Museum of the Jiuhua Mountain.
The most valuable of all are the Buddhist canonical literature left from
the Tang Dynasty, the Tripitaka left from the Ming Dynasty, and Emperor
Kang Xi and Emperor Qian Long's handwritings left from the Qing Dynasty.
In the "Corporeal Body Hall" of Wannian Temple is the mummy of Monk Wu
Xia, wearing a lotus-flower-shaped crown and a vermilion "kasaya," and
is still well preserved after more than 350 years. Buddhist followers
are keen to pay homage to the monk whenever they visit the Mountain. Other
attractions include the "Corporeal Body and Treasure Hall," which houses
the body of has eminent monk Jin Qiaojue's, and the splendid palatial
architecture of Zhiyuan Temple.
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